Beware! of Louisburg College!

Sounds like a bad "gig"...seeing this as a first post, I would think that anyone with any considerable amount of time in this site would not have been "swayed" so easily in this situation...the old safety slogan "Stop, Look and Listen" could have really helped here, huh?

Sounds like another troll and one with a bone to pick---

I'd like to hear if there are any other similar stories. A player that graduated from our school last year is there this year and starting every game. This is the first negative comment I have heard about this program.

It was someone that was a member of this site unfortunetely. The problem was...the player was led to the Louisburg sojourn by way of his HS coach. The HS player had nothing but "trust" in his eyes as he ignored his father's leading, trusted his HS coach and the "trollings" as carefully perceived by JR's keen eye that subsequently happened at his summer American Legion games.
All is not lost....after regrouping, the player's Dad was once again was "intrusted" with his son's faith. Result: then player is playing (starting actually) in Division I bcollege baseball and is currently battling over .300 in his first year in a major conference.

Nobody loves you like your Dad....kids

Good for that player that is starting there. But remember this: If Louisburg doesn't put any money on the table (scholarship).....stop! don't do it!

May I ask then--why the smear????

Smear?

TR, this post is for any player out there that is looking to the next level....and is approached by Louisburg. If they don't offer a scholarship offer for you, beware.
It is important that this is made public....because another player that has now moved on would have vastly benifited from had he known more about this school before being cost a year if eligibility on a JV experience that meant absolutley nothing. Now, in hindsight.....a player with DI starting talent was squandered by some program that simply do not have the evaluation skills to manage and develop young players.
Trying to be clear....trying to warn others so that they don't get sucked into a situation they would be sorry for a year or two later.

My son was at Louisburg last year. While the facts ring true, I would differ with the tone.

My son was told going in he would have an uphill battle to get on the field with the A team. He thought he'd made it in the fall and was told it looked that way, but come spring it did go against him.

I agree the B team is a waste of time. It could have been a little different, had the coaches worked more with those kids. But that was not the case.

He transferred to a DI and is playing this season, although he has been through the slump of his life and is now, some 50 at-bats later, only beginning to come out of it.

Those things said, the school academically was exactly as advertised. And that did help him in his transfer.

So I would say overall that it is buyer beware. But isn't just about anywhere that way?

eyesmears

Why are you into getting them smeared?

Have you been burned?

Do you have all the info in hand or is it hearsay?

Thank you for sharing your story VAman. May your son experience improved success. If I were to give one hitting tip....it would be "have your bat speed good to go". Don't come away from the fast cage until you make consistant contact on 8 of 10 pitches 92-94 mph. One of my simple formulas.
As far as the "buyer beware" tip....yes. You are right. We didn't compain one eyeotta about them not offering in any scholarship money (although it was an indicator...for me of something being awry). It was only the fabricating of the "your going to compete for a starting spot" that was 100% illegal, as far as I am concerned. We weren't even aware of this socalled JV team til we heard it on the phone.
IE....telling graduating HS player that he will compete to start only orients a young man's mind to think he is a part of a group that he will get to prove his chance with.
To uncerimoniasly dispatch him to some newly informed of JV team that was kept under wraps and in the shadows....with only one objective: to enhance the student attendance numbers etc etc.
I'm sorry TR. I believe this site is much more important to the young players.....rather than a vessel for coachs to feed off of. Lets face it....they(the coaches) hold all the cards in their hands, and in their favor, the more we can empower the kids with information and filtering strategy, the less you'll hear of stories like these.

I am having a little trouble following the story here. You state that

quote:

It was only the fabricating of the "your going to compete for a starting spot" that was 100% illegal, as far as I am concerned"

That is why I am confused with your post. Every player competes for a starting spot on EVERY year at EVERY school. All schools have more players than they have starting positions, and the players compete for those spots.

The competition is often fierce. A handful of players will win the competition and the rest will not earn one of those coveted spots. There is nothing unusual in this practise, and certainly it is not a lie to tell a player he will be competing.

It is really too bad your son mistook the statement "your going to compete for a starting spot" as a guaranteed he would win one of those spots, It is a good thing to be confident in your abilities, however this is a whole new level of competition.

I am certainly glad he is happier at his new school, you might want to warn him though that his days of competing for a starting spot are not over. A hot new freshman may come along even in his senior year and the competition continues. The starting spot is never a guarantee.

eyes ears
Sounds like you should have done your homework.

eyesears

I have had three boys play college ball-- every year was a new challenge regardless of what they did the year before--and for a freshman to go into a program thinking he had a starting job locked up means that he "heard what he wanted to hear" when the coach talked to him.

Yes --this is a site where kids and parenmts can gain knowledge but not when it comes from a poster who smears without even knowing what the process is all about--I am sorry but you are way off base.

the following comments are not regading Louisburg, as I don't know them, but TR the above mentioned player (or dad) is grumpy because the coach stated the player would compete for a spot - no guarantee was mentioned on my screen, anyway - then his story was basicly backed up with firsthand experiece by a longtime poster ??

if the player was buried somewhere on a jv squad with little or no coaching or opportunity, the guy has a legit gripe

and little talked about secret

"some" schools have a policy requiring (actually forcing) the coach to fill out his roster with an additional dozen or so paying customers who will likely never get a chance to see the light of day or compete for anything -

let's see, at a DIII an extra 12 players at $36K = a cool extra half million for the school by the time it's all said & done - good job coach!

just do alot of homework where you see 40+ rosters and/or JV teams and you won't be surprised later

Anytime someone has a legitimate complaint or an unpleasant story to tell, then they have an "axe to grind" or are starting a "smear campaign". They could be sharing an actual experience that may contradict certain appearances but only TRHIT knows the difference between the truth and lies and he will be the first to tell you so.

Having recently gone throught he recruitment process, I would only like to add this. It was our experience that most college coaches were up front about where my son into thier program and plan...even if it wasnt always what we wanted to hear.

Good Luck

quote:

"Huh, ah no we have all the scholarship spots filled ....but, not to worry...show up and I'm sure you'll earn one by your second year."

My son heard this from a recruiting coach, too. The coach he's actually playing for now said "Why would you give a worm to the fish that's already on the hook?"

If scholarship money is important to you, beware of any coach that says no money, but maybe next year.

First of all I can not speak of this situation because I have no knowledge of it. What I do know is that Coach Godwin is a class act. He runs an excellent program at Louisburg and it is an excellent school. They have an excellent track record of sending kids on to major baseball programs after one and two years there. They have opened up their field for use to area HS for several years now going back to Coach Frazier. This is one negative story and I am not saying that you dont have a legitimate grip or not because I dont know. What I do know is I could bring several kids and parents on here and they would tell you nothing but great things about the coaches and program. Couldnt that be said about alot of places? When you say Beware! of Louisburg College! Shouldnt you be saying beware of this situation. Not Beware of Louisburg College.

So there is no mistake here, I do not know the original poster.

Frankly, I have mostly talked about my son's experience at Louisburg in private messages, because I didn't want things to be taken out of context. But now that accusations have been made, I'll say that while my son's experience wasn't entirely positive, it wasn't entirely negative, either.

What rang true in the original post was that the coaches will not allow themselves to be wrong on scholarship players. The place my son felt he was wronged was that he was told he rated X at his position after the fall season, but his position fell to Y when he returned. And I agree with the original post that the B team situation is not as good as the school would have you believe. But it is better than not playing at all.

I've said it privately, but to answer the original post, I'll say it here: If Louisburg gives you athletic money, you will probably have a very good experience. If you don't get money, even if you are a good player, you will have a lot of trouble getting on the field.

That's not uncommon to a lot of places.

My son loved the ballpark there and he IMs former teammates all the time. When he got to work with the coaches, he felt really good about what was happening. He did well in school.

Was it the right move for him? I don't know. It was financially difficult and he'll have some work to do when his college days are over.

But I give him credit for making the best of his situation. Going there didn't hurt him.

the coach bascially asked you to walk on, if they did not have a JV team you would be playing softball right now. Transfer to a school where you can play

TR, what "process" are you talking aout? Are you refering to a forthright program that completely levels with the kids and gives them the straight dirt from day one? That, I know a little about. I was a walk on DIII player years agost. At least I have some experience to speak from!
As for this situation, I thought I was as clear as a bell. If someone has assistants out there ("recruiting") to "pad" a JV team.....at least they could give it to them straight. "Hey....our varsity is filled, but we have a great JV program....want to be a part of it?" If they reply: "no thanks not for me", at least you were honest.

AParent. I was being facicious about it being "illegal". But in answer to yuour assumption of "everyone completes....thats not true with past in this particular program. That was the underlying problem. Your second assumption: "sorry he took it as a guaranteed starting spot " was also with no basis. If you read my post you'd have understood that a JV "team" was sorted at day one.
I'm am grateful that so many people have taken the time to read this post. I have this feeling that possibly a good many of players that have every reason be competing at DII, and even DI are getting then messege here. "If you know you should be shooting higher....don't settle for anything else, you might regret it later."

eyesears

All kids have to earn their spots--nothing is a given--apparently your situation was not "clear as a bell" ==as I said before people hear what they want to hear not what was said

By the way are you infering that I have no experience to spek from?

TR, I think you said I know nothing of about the process. You were wrong.

Dibble. Its either JV or the softball team? If you read the earlier threads....you would have noticed that there have been players that have left this same Louisburg JV team... and are now starting D1. Much of this is repetition. The evaluating skills at Louisburg are suspect at best.

The earlier post is right. Some of the varsity team starters have great experiences at Louisburg. This player I'm speaking of never had any sour feeling s about the school. Nor has he had a critical word towards them. He is young and resilient.

As far as "homework" goes....if there was an "eyesears" post similar to the one I wrote, there is a strong possibility that many kids would have chosen a different experience other than Louisburg.
Again, I think this topic will assist in some decisions this year.

I know nothing about this situation but I did look on Louisburg's website just to look around. They are ranked in the top ten pre season poll by Baseball America and right now boast a 14-5 record. And they do have quite a few players on the team. And under Coach Goodwinn, 44 players have left either to other colleges or went pro since 2000.

Eyesears

You state that everyone does not get a chance to compete at this program.

Are you saying the coaches never watch the players during practise during the fall?

After all, that is where the competion takes place.

If the JV team is sorted at day 1 - was this in the fall or spring?

Its funny how people slam people for talking what is true. I know for a fact that Louisburg does the exact same thing to players like he was talking about on here. First, don't let rankings fool you. Louisburg placed the vote for their region with Baseball America, which ends up with them being ranked. Not a real scientific method, but that's how it works. Secondly, they have had 44 players under Godwin go to school or pro baseball, what level? How many went pro? I think maybe 3 (it could be more, but not many more)have gone pro and most of those are FA signees. The only player I know of that has been drafted and signed that played for Godwin was Demetrius Heath, who was a draft and follow who signed after his second year (and was a heck of a player might I add). There may be more that I can't think of but that's all I know for sure that have been drafted and signed out of Louisburg. How many were drafted out of HS and didn't go pro after Louisburg? Louisburg does have some great players, I will not take that away, but most of them were sent to them from other schools. So, those guys are going to play because LC doesn't want to ruin there relationship with those schools. Which is a smart thing to do in my opinion. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours kind of deal. Ask a few players that have been at Louisburg how the money fared. I know of a few that will tell you they packed in a bunch on loans with a small amount of actual athletic scholarship and tell the kids they are getting full rides. This isn't right, in any kind of way. Recruiting does get dirty at times and teams do sometimes stretch the truth. But it seems that Louisburg does this regularly. I don't blame this poster for exposing what is the truth. I imagine if OldVaMan wasn't so nice and polite he could enlighten you further, but he's taking the high road, which says something positive about him. I, for one, think the truth should be known so I am going to tell what I know. One of the main problems is people perceive certain teams to be high and mighty and believe all the hype. Lots of HS coaches do this especially and use that to influence their players to attend these schools. My advice is to listen to all people when they talk about schools, especially if they have been there. They have the first hand knowledge and can usually tell you. I do disagree with one thing though, lots of schools aren't funded fully or at all, so they rely heavily on non-scholarship players to play and play a lot. So, don't depend too much on how much scholarship is given. Look at roster size, that should be the first indicator at how good the chances for competition are. With 60 players on Louisburg's roster how do they pick the best 9 to put on the field? If anyone says they (Louisburg's coaches)don't have an idea who will be on JV and who will be on the actual team is simply lost in the mist. If they don't know who will be on each team then they need to work on their evaluations I think. And lastly, if everyone will remember a player by the name of Elijah Dukes, who signed with Louisburg 3 years ago. He was from Florida, had signed to play football at NC State, then signed with Louisburg after he wasn't going to qualify academically. He was then drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round. Now why is this important? Louisburg's coaches told him they had a football team he could play on as well as playing baseball. Now if I'm correct, doesn't the football team start this coming fall? Did they plan on him being there four years to play football? Or was that just sour grapes from Dukes when he said they told him that? Now imagine what they tell other kids? Would they lie to a player, no way! As for Coach Godwin, I don't know him, or any of his assistants, personally, so I can't say what type of people they are. Although I do find it hard to believe that every player that wasn't happy at a certain school is a "bad kid" as some would have you believe. Ask the coaches at schools about some players that weren't happy there and see what they say. If they throw off on the player every time its probably a good indicator at what the real problem may be. I say to all college coaches, shoot straight with the players, tell them where they stand and stick with it. Don't sign players just so you don't have to play against them. Do what is best for the kids and help them any way you can. Don't be so competetive that you lose track of what is best, and that's helping these kids get educations and maybe a career in baseball following their time in school. Then maybe we won't have smear campaigns going on, but will actually have better people at the end of the whole thing. That's what I think.

thanks for the input 44, I hope it helps others in some way

Good valid points 44.

Just a short note on this being identified as a "smear campaign". It really isn't. It was meant to tip off young players that might be fed a line. If a player is confident about Louisburg...and has been impressed with them....good luck.
Your point about (don't recruit a player because you don't want to face him) was another perfect example of such leadings. It's just not fair to these kids. Their college careers are short....they deserve better.
As we all know, there are many JUCO's around that are looking for players. Take your time (HS'ers)....allow the perception to play a part in your decision making....and by all means...see if you can talk with some former players from the school to get some hands on imput.

44magnum

The slamming going on here is what you folks are doing to this school. The rest of us are asking pertinent questions to determine if it is justified or not.

If there is one thing kids can learn from this thread the most important one is to do exactly that - ask pertinent questions.

It is obviousnot everyone has the same understanding of what it means to "compete for a starting spot". It does not matter what any of us think it means, what matters is that the student athlete and the coach are in agreement as to what it means. Beforehand.

These are the types of questions kids need to learn to ask, no matter waht school they are looking to attend.

44 & eyesears,

Thank you for sharing your experiences, good or bad. When something unfortunate happens to others, truly I that is when I learn the most.

I dont want to sound out of place, but if a college coach as to pick from a player that he has money invested in(scholarship)or a walk on, he will go with the scholarship player.
But i do understand where eyesear is comming from. Some college coaches do tell kids what they want to hear, but usually they make it clear during the recruiting process that no promises are made on starting positions. i my self went to junior college before attending a division 1 program. I was a scholarship player through out my college career. I actually played against louisburg and thought they were a very well run program. There are always going to be bad stories and they should be told, by bashing a certain coach or program doesnt help anyone. You need to listen very carefully when talking with coaches and recruiters.

I like the fact that this site shares info like this. However, the delivery could be different. A negative comment about a school should originate in a post maybe by saying something like

quote:

If anyone is looking for information and an opinion on Louisberg College contact me.

The comments, that may very well be true, are not fair to the school that is not here to defend itself. There may be a few unhappy campers, but, there may be 40 guys on the varsity and jv that are happy to be there. Recently there has been some tension on this site as a result of negative and attacking posts. Everyone should sit back and re-read what they write before clicking the "post now" button.

I am found that when someone "slams" a coach or a school it because they felt their son or a friends son got the short end of the stick---

One can find things to gripe about at nearly every baseball program. I know many programs where I would advise my players not to go but I am not going to come a forum and publicly slam those programs--I talk to the players and their families in private--it is between us.

TR

I would have preferred that things been kept quieter, too. But once something is out there and the debate begins, I think it important to add first-hand experience, if you have it.

Now, it's time to debate the weather. Like, when is it going to warm up?

OldVAman

It is warm here--second day in a row with sun and 40 degree temps

Of course, it warms up today ... and I can't go to Baltimore to see my son's games. And it's an almost sure rainout tomorrow.

Spring break, 6 games scheduled, 3 games played (if they get today in). Out of 19 games they've played so far, only two were played in weather that could be called under any reasonable standard acceptable.

So when does the global warming start?

I think we have missed the so called "global warming' !!!

We've had 10 inches of snow the last two days. I hope it melts quick, my wife left town and put me in charge of her new white puppy, it's amazing how they blend together.

Just want to make sure I have this clear.

If someone knows something positive about a college(and it's true, first hand knowledge) it's
OK to post on the HSBaseball Web.

If someone knows something negative about a college(and it's true, first hand knowledge) it should NOT be posted on the HSBaseball Web.

OldVaman,

Your son is in Baltimore? Is he playing for Towson or UMBC? What position does he play?