Bryant

He walks into a great program. Good luck to him.

TrHit,

Very good news for Bryant alums! The baseball team has been a bright spot since our transition from D2 to D1.

Coach Pinzino did a great job of building the program and transitioning from D2 to D1. I personally saw some very good wins in their first year of D1. Bryant caught some teams by surprise, and walked away with a bunch of Ws.

Does Bryant fully fund their program scholarship wise? I believe I have heard that other D1's in New England like URI and University of Hartford do NOT offer their full allotment of scholarships. Just curious as to the local D1's in NE that DO offer all of their scholarships.

Have not heard if Bryant is/was fully funded but I'm sure that with a new coach things will progress. Other NE D1's like UMass, RI, Hartford, are not fully funded. Northeastern just became fully funded with an increase in scholarships due to the school dropping football. I was just told this weekend that RI will be moving in that direction also since football just switched conferences and thus had to cut some scholarships which left some additional for other sports.

I do not think 11.7 or no 11.7 scholarships really matters---if you have the talent that they want they will find the money they need for you

what caused them to have to hire a new coach? They just moved on up to d-1 and looked like they were being taken in the right direction for such a sudden change? And I just cant help but think that a fully funded program has the chance to offer big $ to a guy they really want to chase while still going after other players. Also, the extra $ allows them to kind of take a bit of a flyer on a guy. Much like Tampa has to have all of their choices pan out, while a team like the yankees can just write off a guy that isnt doing his job and just bring in another. Plus the kids like to hear that a program is fully funded, it makes them think that the program is solid and well backed, and they know there is $ for other top players, not just them and maybe one other guy. (i am a yankee fan so its not bashing)

To add to original post, Pete Hoy (opposed to Foy) took over at St. Lawrence. Both him and Steve Owens (the new coach at Bryant) were outstanding leaders at Le Moyne.

To respond to why Bryant lost their head coach, see this article: Bryant coach tasered, arrested

I saw a new thread created for Bryant and suggested they head this way. Question was: Any info on this program?

My son was extremely interested in this program but never seemed to be able to turn it on when the coaches were watching.

I can't say enough good things about Coach Owens, his staff, and the University. Well worth a visit to the school, and reach out to Coach Owens who is pretty good about being straight with you in terms of needs and opportunities, as well as doing a good job of trying to take a look.

They run a couple excellent clinics each year and that could be a good focal point for a visit.

Strong D1 presence and I believe they are fully funded.

The school was originally a business college but now has the full gamut of what makes a university a university.

quote:

RedsoxFan21 said.....Strong D1 presence and I believe they are fully funded.

Bryant won the Northeast conference regular season (3 games ahead of Monmouth) but was not eligible for the conference tournament (and possible NCCA bid - Sacred Heart). Bryant recently moved into the conference from D2.

I cant tell much about the facilities from the athletic website. I'm guessing a work in progress after moving from D2 to D1. Any plans for new construction?

My son has a HS summer ball teammate on Bryant. Next year they are eligible for the NEC tournament. Not sure of the facilities...

Fantastic athletic facilities. We played them a few times while I was at Saint Michael's and the field was very nice...nice dugouts, bullpens, press box, seating etc. At the time it was a stellar (brand new) D2 facility. Nowadays I am sure they have only made it better w/ the leap to D1.

New stadium/field this year very nice. First class coaches in Coach Owens and Coach Gedman. Will be a consistent winning program.

quote:

Originally posted by fenwaysouth: Bryant recently moved into the conference from D2.

First D1 season was Spring 2009.

Consistently a league leading contender, no longer in the probationary period and fully eligible for post season play. Owens has raised the program another notch since heading them up last season.


3

I don't know that Owens has raised the level yet... He has maintained what the prior coach did, won reg season league title. He has a rep as an offensive coach and that hasn't really been evident here yet. Prior coach built the team on pitching and defense and that has continued to be the formula as the main players were prior recruits. Defense fell way back this year. On the plus, several new (his) recruits played as frosh this year and there seems to be some pop. Time will tell if his recruiting changes the focus from defense to offense. Facilities are nice, they should be a contender every year.Not the most personable guy in the world but has a good track record.

quote:

RedsoxFan21 said...First D1 season was Spring 2009.

RedsoxFan21,
I remember it very well! I travelled Virginia during their Spring Break to see my alma mater beat Virignia Tech and Richmond. I was absolutely shocked at how good they were and thrilled with the results! Go Bulldogs!

quote:

Originally posted by Eephus:
Not the most personable guy in the world but has a good track record.

For what its worth, our interaction with him was always very personable and professional. He welcomed us into his office during a school tour, he made a point of looking at my son in local games and his clinics, he always responded to emails, and he delivered bad news very professionally and promptly when others wouldn't have made the time to do so. A real class act in our eyes.