anybody have any information on the Auburn baseball program?
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My son played there for three years (03, 04, 05) and had a great experience not only on the field but off the field too. The baseball facility is top drawer being selected as the top colligate facility in the nation by Baseball America two of the three years he was there. The Southeastern Conference is undeniably one of the most storied conferences in the country.
-------- BUT ------
Understand that there are many factors that come into play when determining proper "fit" between a program and a player. What might be a great experience for one player might be a nightmare for another. I don't think any program is inherently "good" or inherently "bad" but rather a perception of good or bad is created by each player's experience. Auburn does have a lot to offer.
Fungo
I almost forgot --- good luck and War Eagle!
-------- BUT ------
Understand that there are many factors that come into play when determining proper "fit" between a program and a player. What might be a great experience for one player might be a nightmare for another. I don't think any program is inherently "good" or inherently "bad" but rather a perception of good or bad is created by each player's experience. Auburn does have a lot to offer.
Fungo
I almost forgot --- good luck and War Eagle!
I saw that War Eagle circling down to the 50-yard line on a TV show today.
Also Fungo, did your son every "Roll Toomer's Corner?"
Also Fungo, did your son every "Roll Toomer's Corner?"
Linc Jarrett, who recently joined the staff at Auburn is first class guy. Don't know the rest of the staff (although I beleive they are all highly regarded), but Coach Jarrett is a good one. Everywhere he goes, the teams get better....so my guess would be is that Auburn is going to become a much better program - soon.
quote:Also Fungo, did your son every "Roll Toomer's Corner?"
Not that I know of. I think the players leave the rolling to the frenzied fans! But I think that's where he picked up his TP for the bathroom.
)Justbaseball makes reference to a long standing tradition of "rolling" an area called Toomer's corner of downtown Auburn, Alabama after an Auburn victory.
The clean-up crews do an amazing job of restoring the area back to normal by the next morning.
That's awesome...you gotta love college sports.
thanks guys for your input.
I will agree with the previous comment about Link Jarrett. I grew up and played with Link and have known him for 30 years. Link is a true ROLE MODEL that just happens to be a GREAT baseball guy. Auburns recruiting coordinator Scott Foxhall is the same kind of person and baseball guy. Coach Pawlawski has surrounded himself with two of the finest PEOPLE in college baseball. Auburn will do very well in the near future.
Do you they get any walk-ons?
Texas Haven.
Yes, Auburn does get walk-ons or at least they did 30+ years ago when I walked on. Auburn actually has a long time tradition/history of walk-ons in several sports. Unfortunately it looked like we had alot of walk-ons playing football against Kentucky on Saturday night.
Yes, Auburn does get walk-ons or at least they did 30+ years ago when I walked on. Auburn actually has a long time tradition/history of walk-ons in several sports. Unfortunately it looked like we had alot of walk-ons playing football against Kentucky on Saturday night.
thanks S. Abrahms. Good information. It was rough Saturday for the Tigers. Then the question is, how often does it happen that walk-ons see action on the field.
Walk-ons honestly won't see much much time unless they really show something to the coaches (my playing time was very limited...alot of splinters were collected and heard some great jokes; I was not a stud by any stretch of the imagination).
Pitchers have the best shot. Position players may get in during blowouts or pinch hitting but realistically are going to ride the bench during most games. Best shot most walk-ons have will be an injury situation to a starter. My career (??) was cut short due to a severe ankle injury that didn't heal well...I don't think some of the coaches even knew I was gone.
Pitchers have the best shot. Position players may get in during blowouts or pinch hitting but realistically are going to ride the bench during most games. Best shot most walk-ons have will be an injury situation to a starter. My career (??) was cut short due to a severe ankle injury that didn't heal well...I don't think some of the coaches even knew I was gone.
Wonderful campus and awesome Baseball facilities. Son camped here and enjoyed it well beyond our expectations. Arguably best baseball conference (SEC) currently too. Coaches Pawlowski, Foxhall and Jarret were constantly coaching and mixing it up with all of the players. Most interactive college staff we have been around to this point. The school is top notch, campus is BEAUTIFUL and well laid out. The baseball facilities are well located on the campus and rival/exceed top SEC and ACC schools. 2010 will be this staffs 2nd season and I would bet they get back into the top tier of the SEC standings very quickly. We loved the experience of Auburn in every aspect!!!
Auburn has everything that a school needs to win a national championship. The academics are good (not great), the baseball facilities are great, the climate is warm enough to get outside all of the time, you can recruit Alabama (good high school and JC baseball), 1 hour from Atlanta (East Cobb), and 2 hours from the panhandle of Florida which has good high school and JC baseball. All of this combined with a good coaching staff should result in a run at a national title. Auburn has a good fan base that would be great with a better team so what is their problem?
I repeat....if Link Jarrett is involved....they are going to win.
Don't know the rest of the coaching staff(have heard nothing but good things though)....but, Coach Jarrett knows how to win. And...he didn't come to Auburn to maintain the status quo.
Expect big things from the Auburn program.
Don't know the rest of the coaching staff(have heard nothing but good things though)....but, Coach Jarrett knows how to win. And...he didn't come to Auburn to maintain the status quo.
Expect big things from the Auburn program.
quote:Auburn has a good fan base that would be great with a better team so what is their problem?
I wasn't aware that Auburn had a "problem". Just because a team doesn't have a national championship ring in baseball doesn't constitute a problem in my opinion. I can tell you from personal experience that the baseball program and the educational experience at Auburn University is top drawer.
Academically ---Auburn has traditionally been rated highly by academic ranking services, and has been listed as one of the top 50 public universities for 15 consecutive years. The 2009 edition of U.S. News and World Reports ranks Auburn as the 88th university in the nation among public and private schools and 39th among public universities. Auburn was the only college or university in Alabama included in the inaugural edition (1981) of the widely respected Peterson's Guides to America's 296 Most Competitive Colleges.
Auburn is a charter member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which is currently composed of 11 of the largest Southern public universities in the US and one private university, Vanderbilt. Among the other 10 peer public universities, two are ranked ahead of Auburn by U.S. News & World Report. This high ranking and reputation for academic quality is in spite of the fact that Auburn's $378.6 million endowment is currently the second smallest of the 12 SEC universities. An attempt to increase the endowment by $500 million began in 2005 with the "It Begins at Auburn" campaign. As of August 2006, the campaign had raised $523 million, making it the largest campaign in university history.
The university currently consists of thirteen schools and colleges. Programs in architecture, pharmacy, veterinary science, engineering, forestry,and business have been ranked among the best in the country.
quote:Do they get any walk-ons?
Everyone has walk-ons. Some do not do much in terms of open tryouts, others do. Most walk-ons are recruited despite getting no money from the program.
My son's opinion was that Auburn's campus and facilities ranked #1. He was a late summner recruit. He preferred the SEC to ACC in the way of competition, so perhaps if they had more $$ to offer he would have signed.
Auburn has a record of over 500 under the new HC (first season last year) who is part of Jack Leggett's coaching tree, and IMO, you can't get much better than that.
Auburn University AD and admissions holds a higher standard to it's athletic program, and to it's players as far as academics than most SEC schools as a parent of a possible recruit checking on admissions requirements, I didn't see that as a problem.
Auburn has a record of over 500 under the new HC (first season last year) who is part of Jack Leggett's coaching tree, and IMO, you can't get much better than that.
Auburn University AD and admissions holds a higher standard to it's athletic program, and to it's players as far as academics than most SEC schools as a parent of a possible recruit checking on admissions requirements, I didn't see that as a problem.
Good post, Fungo. Hope your son is doing well.
As far as Auburn academics, all I'll say is that almost every year since the mid 70's when I attended Auburn, the Law and Medical schools at Bama (Boo...Hisss)have had more Auburn grads than Bama grads( Boo...Hisss). Not bad for a "Cow College".
That, and the Auburn co-eds are always much better looking than Bama's ( Boo....Hisss). Maybe not quite as many as Ole Miss but better quality and without the Ole Miss co-ed "BS". Auburn has basically been 50/50 co-ed since the '70s, which back then was nearly unheard of at schools the size of Auburn.
"Friendliest Village on The Plains" is something Auburn students and grads take very seriously. Our universal greeting of "War Eagle" to fellow students/grads may seem quaint to other schools but after attending Auburn, no other words are really needed to convey our thoughts and feelings. Simply put, Auburn is "family".
Ohh, something else....Bama sucks. (Boo...Hisss). You didn't really think I'd leave without that. But (and this pains me greatly to say)...I dislike Texas as much as Bama (Boo...Hisss)but my SEC /state allegiance forces me to pull for Bama (Boo...Hisss) in the bowl game. An Auburn man is loyal to his roots...didn't say it we always like it.
Last, but not least...WAR EAGLE!!!
As far as Auburn academics, all I'll say is that almost every year since the mid 70's when I attended Auburn, the Law and Medical schools at Bama (Boo...Hisss)have had more Auburn grads than Bama grads( Boo...Hisss). Not bad for a "Cow College".
That, and the Auburn co-eds are always much better looking than Bama's ( Boo....Hisss). Maybe not quite as many as Ole Miss but better quality and without the Ole Miss co-ed "BS". Auburn has basically been 50/50 co-ed since the '70s, which back then was nearly unheard of at schools the size of Auburn.
"Friendliest Village on The Plains" is something Auburn students and grads take very seriously. Our universal greeting of "War Eagle" to fellow students/grads may seem quaint to other schools but after attending Auburn, no other words are really needed to convey our thoughts and feelings. Simply put, Auburn is "family".
Ohh, something else....Bama sucks. (Boo...Hisss). You didn't really think I'd leave without that. But (and this pains me greatly to say)...I dislike Texas as much as Bama (Boo...Hisss)but my SEC /state allegiance forces me to pull for Bama (Boo...Hisss) in the bowl game. An Auburn man is loyal to his roots...didn't say it we always like it.
Last, but not least...WAR EAGLE!!!
Fungo, I agree with you on most everything but we are light years apart on Auburn baseball. I do know the university well as I have two family members that teach at the university and have for 25 years. My sister-n-law is great friends with Hal's wife so in the past I received much information about the baseball program. IMO, the baseball coach is paid to win championships and for some reason the program has not been able to acheive that goal for some time. The Auburn baseball program IMO is a true sleeping giant that should compete for SEC, Regional, Super Regional and NCAA Championships. Of all the programs in the country Auburn is one of the few that would be a great place to coach, play, and attend school.quote:Originally posted by Fungo:quote:Auburn has a good fan base that would be great with a better team so what is their problem?
I wasn't aware that Auburn had a "problem". Just because a team doesn't have a national championship ring in baseball doesn't constitute a problem in my opinion. I can tell you from personal experience that the baseball program and the educational experience at Auburn University is top drawer.
Academically ---Auburn has traditionally been rated highly by academic ranking services, and has been listed as one of the top 50 public universities for 15 consecutive years. The 2009 edition of U.S. News and World Reports ranks Auburn as the 88th university in the nation among public and private schools and 39th among public universities. Auburn was the only college or university in Alabama included in the inaugural edition (1981) of the widely respected Peterson's Guides to America's 296 Most Competitive Colleges.
Auburn is a charter member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), which is currently composed of 11 of the largest Southern public universities in the US and one private university, Vanderbilt. Among the other 10 peer public universities, two are ranked ahead of Auburn by U.S. News & World Report. This high ranking and reputation for academic quality is in spite of the fact that Auburn's $378.6 million endowment is currently the second smallest of the 12 SEC universities. An attempt to increase the endowment by $500 million began in 2005 with the "It Begins at Auburn" campaign. As of August 2006, the campaign had raised $523 million, making it the largest campaign in university history.
The university currently consists of thirteen schools and colleges. Programs in architecture, pharmacy, veterinary science, engineering, forestry,and business have been ranked among the best in the country.
A friend of mine visited the school and had the same experience that we did (albeit at another school). The coaches seemingly were very nice( Let's meet discuss your future here, here is my cell number etc..)
However, the coaches had very poor communication/follow-up skills and did not respond to phone calls and emails when they specifically asked the kids to stay in touch. Basically, they led kids to believe one thing and they did another. Lastly, there recruiting scope is very small and confined to the SE. They don't recruit (or can't get) kids from Texas or CA to play there.
However, the coaches had very poor communication/follow-up skills and did not respond to phone calls and emails when they specifically asked the kids to stay in touch. Basically, they led kids to believe one thing and they did another. Lastly, there recruiting scope is very small and confined to the SE. They don't recruit (or can't get) kids from Texas or CA to play there.
Ditto for my son. I felt like it only happened to us. Hope everything turns out for you guys.
Thanks, PWB Hopefully it will work out for all of us. I have heard alot more about the coaches at Auburn and it is quite clear that they are not honorable in their dealings with recruits. To not return calls or emails is shameless, even if the news is not what the kid wanted to hear.
Good luck in your search.
Good luck in your search.
I think it's pretty harsh to be calling people dishonorable simply because they didn't do what you wanted them to do.
Recruiting is a game where each party is playing a hand. The coaches have a list of potential recruits that they have ranked in a specific order, the athlete has a list of potential schools that they have ranked in a specific order. If the coaches fill their needs at the position of your son with a higher prioritized recruit, or just decide to stop recruiting your son, they owe you nothing. They just stop communicating. That is how nearly every school in the country does it.
The same is true very often with recruits. When they commit to a school, they are under no obligation to communicate that to other schools or to return emails or phone calls.
The point is, you guys don't get to make the rules for everyone else, anymore than I did or any other recruited athlete and family. This is the way it has gone for years. Lighten up and don't take yourselves so seriously. No one is being dishonorable.
Good luck in your sons college searches.
Recruiting is a game where each party is playing a hand. The coaches have a list of potential recruits that they have ranked in a specific order, the athlete has a list of potential schools that they have ranked in a specific order. If the coaches fill their needs at the position of your son with a higher prioritized recruit, or just decide to stop recruiting your son, they owe you nothing. They just stop communicating. That is how nearly every school in the country does it.
The same is true very often with recruits. When they commit to a school, they are under no obligation to communicate that to other schools or to return emails or phone calls.
The point is, you guys don't get to make the rules for everyone else, anymore than I did or any other recruited athlete and family. This is the way it has gone for years. Lighten up and don't take yourselves so seriously. No one is being dishonorable.
Good luck in your sons college searches.
Right on CPLZ!
cplz,
I appreciate your perspective, but there is such a thing as "common courtesy and manners". You don't tell a young 17/18 year old to call you if you don't mean it. Really, how hard is it to respond to an email?
Remember the "Golden Rule". they should be ashamed.
I appreciate your perspective, but there is such a thing as "common courtesy and manners". You don't tell a young 17/18 year old to call you if you don't mean it. Really, how hard is it to respond to an email?
Remember the "Golden Rule". they should be ashamed.
quote:Originally posted by SplendidSplinter:
cplz,
I appreciate your perspective, but there is such a thing as "common courtesy and manners". You don't tell a young 17/18 year old to call you if you don't mean it. Really, how hard is it to respond to an email?
Remember the "Golden Rule". they should be ashamed.
I understand that the emotions run high in recruiting, especially when a "dream school" says positive things and leads you on...but,
That's not how it works. Fight it all you want, howl at the moon if it makes you feel better. What you deem as common courtesy and manners is simply not part of the recruiting landscape. Schools all over the country say polite things to recruits and don't necessarily mean a thing by them.
What would be a shame, is if someone is getting good, time tested advice, and they choose not to listen. You can learn, become wiser, develop a little thicker skin and move on, or you can continue to tilt at windmills that have stood for decades...the choices are yours.
My intention here is to be as truthful and direct as possible in an effort to help you move on as quickly as possible. There's a teaching opportunity here for your son, about listening, deciphering, gauging interest, how people string others along (that's not a negative, it's a reality) and coping with disappointment. This is how nearly every coaching staff in the nation does it. They can't all be dishonorable.
This has happened to me and my son, and nearly every parent and recruit that frequents these boards, with the exception of the true blue chipper. I've felt just how you do now...but we need to get past it to move forward.
It is what it is.
It happens to everyone.
It happened to son, his dream school, the only camp he ever attended, got himself seen up close and personal, told him he definetly had the stuff to play at his program. Keep in touch, he did, he sent his summer schedule (which included a game on his field) he tried to contact them. July 1 came and went as did July 15,16 and so on. End of July they called to tell him they had been busy, going to Omaha, new coach, come in sept for an official visit and BTW, this is what we are thinking of offering you.
He had already moved on, said no thanks and hope to meet up with you on the playing field, as he did several times. Met up with the recruting coach last year, he said he's mad at himself for not following through, but I told him, that's ok, we and he understand how it is, no hard feelings.
Learn about recruiting and what it all means, when to move on and you won't walk away with a bad taste or saying that the coach was rude.
This is how they do things, it's an easier way than saying, you won't fit in.
Remember, you have a few on your short list he may have hundreds.
It happened to son, his dream school, the only camp he ever attended, got himself seen up close and personal, told him he definetly had the stuff to play at his program. Keep in touch, he did, he sent his summer schedule (which included a game on his field) he tried to contact them. July 1 came and went as did July 15,16 and so on. End of July they called to tell him they had been busy, going to Omaha, new coach, come in sept for an official visit and BTW, this is what we are thinking of offering you.
He had already moved on, said no thanks and hope to meet up with you on the playing field, as he did several times. Met up with the recruting coach last year, he said he's mad at himself for not following through, but I told him, that's ok, we and he understand how it is, no hard feelings.
Learn about recruiting and what it all means, when to move on and you won't walk away with a bad taste or saying that the coach was rude.
This is how they do things, it's an easier way than saying, you won't fit in.
Remember, you have a few on your short list he may have hundreds.
quote:This is how they do things, it's an easier way than saying, you won't fit in.
Can you imagine the repercussions if college coaches were TRUTHFUL with ALL recruits. There would be a lot of parents arrested trying to burn down the Universities.
It is called doing business !!!
I have mixed emotions on this one. I agree that it is the nature of the beast and we all should learn from those that went before us and have been kind enough to donate their time to helping others on this board. I also think it is a little harsh to call the program dishonorable for not returning phone calls or emails, but I also think the recruiters could do a better job of letting recruits know when they are no longer interested. Had two situations happen to my son that were disconcerting. Both were invitations from the coach for a visit to the school that were offered after the July 1st contact date. One official and one unofficial. My son let the coaches know what dates he could do it. They agreed and then when he was finalizing they quit returning phone calls or email. If someone extends an invitation they should have the common courtesy to let you know that they no longer wish to honor the invitation. On a positive note, I would like to mention that Coach Boretti at Columbia was recruiting my son and met with him on an unofficial visit, gave him and me a tour of the school and facilities including driving us up to the northern tip of Manhattan to look at their field. He told my son they were interested and had whittled their list down to about 30. When we were leaving I asked Coach Boretti if he would let my son know if he were no longer interested, he said he would and he did a month later. I have the utmost respect for him and I tell everyone about it. I think that it can only help. Common courtesy goes a long way in any business. BTW it has worked out great for my son. He's been able to pursue baseball and football in college and he is very happy. Cold but happy.
Splinter,
Not many Texas or California kids on any SEC roster. I do know of a Houston player that played at Auburn a few years ago and enjoyed his time there. He's now in the Astros organization. BTW, my oldest son attends Auburn and loves it. Great school spirit and great baseball facilities. Don't know much about the coach, but I've heard that from a players perspective it has been a great improvement over the last coach.
Not many Texas or California kids on any SEC roster. I do know of a Houston player that played at Auburn a few years ago and enjoyed his time there. He's now in the Astros organization. BTW, my oldest son attends Auburn and loves it. Great school spirit and great baseball facilities. Don't know much about the coach, but I've heard that from a players perspective it has been a great improvement over the last coach.
quote:Originally posted by Burnt Orange:
... but I also think the recruiters could do a better job of letting recruits know when they are no longer interested.
A friend of mine shared with me years ago, that everyone knows how to deliver good news, very, very few know how or are willing to deliver bad news. It's just the human condition...it is what it is.
He was and is right.
Great story and insight BO, thanks.
CPLZ, thank you for your mature and logical answers to a very frustrating process. While I still believe in "common courtesy", something the entire country has seemingly moved away from, there was one piece of the puzzle that was not shared. This particular recruit was a friend (his parents) of two of the top athletic boosters at Auburn (obviously not shared with the coaches because the kid wanted to earn his place of the team). The parents do not want to lower themselves to the level of the coaches and do something that could impact their future because that would not be the right thing to do. However, the boosters did ask about the situation knowing that the kid was an excellent player and the parents wisely said that the coaches will do what is best for the program and therefore they did not comment on their lack of communication skills. Nobody wins in that scenario.
Hopefully, all coaches will try to learn the art of diplomacy when dealing with parents and kids. Good luck to all in 2010.
Hopefully, all coaches will try to learn the art of diplomacy when dealing with parents and kids. Good luck to all in 2010.
WAR EAGLE FUNGO!!
