Any info on coastal carolina, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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I can only tell you that this is a premier opportunity and to take it very seriously. Good luck.
Here is a thread that has several other links in it to several other Coastal threads.
http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1786003481/...991062802#3991062802
Here is a thread that has several other links in it to several other Coastal threads.
http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1786003481/...991062802#3991062802
The coaches at Coastal are phenominal. I like the atmosphere of success around the program.
We drove by to take a look last summer and watched the coach with some HS campers:
The field is quite nice and located in a central location to most of the campus. Probably a hot/steamy place during the ball season! The coaches seemed positive and energetic, and ran a good workout.
The school has a new student center that's really nice. Other construction going on as well. My son's assessment was the campus is "out in the middle of nowhere" (but he's a city kid.) It's a bit less than an hour from Myrtle Beach, so if you like golf in the off-season, you will be in heaven!
The field is quite nice and located in a central location to most of the campus. Probably a hot/steamy place during the ball season! The coaches seemed positive and energetic, and ran a good workout.
The school has a new student center that's really nice. Other construction going on as well. My son's assessment was the campus is "out in the middle of nowhere" (but he's a city kid.) It's a bit less than an hour from Myrtle Beach, so if you like golf in the off-season, you will be in heaven!
quote:Originally posted by quillgirl:
We drove by to take a look last summer and watched the coach with some HS campers:
The field is quite nice and located in a central location to most of the campus. Probably a hot/steamy place during the ball season! The coaches seemed positive and energetic, and ran a good workout.
The school has a new student center that's really nice. Other construction going on as well. My son's assessment was the campus is "out in the middle of nowhere" (but he's a city kid.) It's a bit less than an hour from Myrtle Beach, so if you like golf in the off-season, you will be in heaven!
quillgirl - I don't think that your talking about Coastal Carolina. Coastal is about 10 minutes from the ocean and only a minute or two from the city limits of Myrtle Beach. My son lives in Myrtle Beach and it only takes him about two minutes to get to class. The campus is far from the middle of nowhere unless your son considers Myrtle Beach nowhere. I have never heard anyone who has vacationed down there describe it that way and I certainly would not. The place you seem to be describing sounds like Francis Marion University to me which indeed is out in the country and about an hour or so from Myrtle Beach. Coastal is also not a hot steamy place during the ball season. It is beautiful from February to June and is moderated by nice ocean breezes. Finally, I was unaware of the construction of a new student center and any other recent construction frankly.
It doesn't get much better than springtime in Myrtle Beach, imho.
First the coaches are not only great gentlemen but excellent baseball men
Secondly the campus is one of the most attractive in the nation
Third I think if you had been on the Coastal campus and drove by the baseball field you would have seen the spanking brand new football stadium
Secondly the campus is one of the most attractive in the nation
Third I think if you had been on the Coastal campus and drove by the baseball field you would have seen the spanking brand new football stadium
I'm certain we were at Coastal Carolina, which is located in Conway, SC. NOT in MB. Impressive marine bio program. We were there in August at a tournament, and it was pretty darned hot-- but it's hot in Atlanta too. We're used to it. Some people on this board might not realize how steamy it can be. The mild weather is an excellent reason why golf is so amazing in the area. You couldn't possibly play every course in a year of living there!
We saw the football stadium and what looked like a brand new or fairly new student center near the entrance-- very nice. Pretty campus, I agree. Granted, the MB city limits are pretty expansive, so you are right that it is probably only a few minutes from the outer edge of the city. With traffic, it took us (from where we stayed in North Myrtle Beach) about 30-40 minutes. The area surrounding the campus didn't have much going on, but we were there only an hour or so. I think you would certainly need a car or other transportation to get to the MB that most people think of as entertaining. I didn't see much that one could walk to from campus, but perhaps we missed something on the other side of the school.
We live outside a large urban area next to a big university. There's an adjacent village that students can walk to and that offers cafe's, music, coffee houses, groceries, shops, bookstores, etc. A car isn't necessary, so there isn't a feeling of being "marooned" on the campus if you don't have one. (I think that was what my son meant.) None of this has to do with the baseball program, which is very good at CC and the big reason why we went to go look at it. There are the other things that determine whether or not a student thinks a school is a good fit. It includes sports, academics, campus culture, and that gut feeling that tells you this is home for 4 years. It's not the same for everyone and it is vital to go visit if you can. It's the only way to know for certain, IMO.
We saw the football stadium and what looked like a brand new or fairly new student center near the entrance-- very nice. Pretty campus, I agree. Granted, the MB city limits are pretty expansive, so you are right that it is probably only a few minutes from the outer edge of the city. With traffic, it took us (from where we stayed in North Myrtle Beach) about 30-40 minutes. The area surrounding the campus didn't have much going on, but we were there only an hour or so. I think you would certainly need a car or other transportation to get to the MB that most people think of as entertaining. I didn't see much that one could walk to from campus, but perhaps we missed something on the other side of the school.
We live outside a large urban area next to a big university. There's an adjacent village that students can walk to and that offers cafe's, music, coffee houses, groceries, shops, bookstores, etc. A car isn't necessary, so there isn't a feeling of being "marooned" on the campus if you don't have one. (I think that was what my son meant.) None of this has to do with the baseball program, which is very good at CC and the big reason why we went to go look at it. There are the other things that determine whether or not a student thinks a school is a good fit. It includes sports, academics, campus culture, and that gut feeling that tells you this is home for 4 years. It's not the same for everyone and it is vital to go visit if you can. It's the only way to know for certain, IMO.
Can anyone give any info on how the baseball facilities compare with some of the bigger schools? Weight room, practice facilities,ect? Also, any info on the training staff would be useful as well.
quote:Originally posted by HighCheese:
Can anyone give any info on how the baseball facilities compare with some of the bigger schools? Weight room, practice facilities,ect? Also, any info on the training staff would be useful as well.
The baseball field and clubhouse are very nice but the stadium is smaller than the bigger schools. They have about 1,000 seat-backed chairs and it is very nice. They hosted a regional last year and brought in temporary bleacher seating to get them up to 2500 for the event. Their weight facilities are excellent. Their strength coach is one of the best in the country.
Look, the reason to go there is not because their facilities are going to rival some SEC or ACC school. The reason to go there is quite simply because you will be exposed to some of the very best coaching in the country as TrHit pointed out. All they do is win. This is a team that has the highest of all possible baseball goals and they are very close to achieving them.
As far as some of the intangibles go...
If being eight miles from a gorgeous beach and major tourist destination (not North MB but downtown MB) is too far for you, then certainly don't go there...
If 70's/80's low humidity weather in the college baseball season from February through May (they don't play there in August) is too hot for you, then don't go there...
If you prefer to have on-campus ammenities such as cafes, little villages, coffee shops, grocery stores, etc. where you don't have to leave campus then you probably wouldn't want to go there although I am not sure why you would want to stay on campus when all the pretty girls are just down the road at the beach....
If every once in a while, your team decides to do its running and workouts at the beach and you find that objectionable (followed by a barbeque), you probably don't want to go there...
If playing on ESPN with the palm trees blowing in the ocean breeze is not your cup of tea, then you probably do not want to go there...
If you don't like golfing, fishing, surf boarding, water sliding, go cart racing, sea food eating, etc. etc. then you probably do not want to go there. You might have to drive a little bit like 5 or 10 minutes or so but most students who attend college have cars and even if you don't it is easy to find a ride from someone. Heck, most students who attend high school have cars nowadays.
It is a tough life but somebody has to do it.
CD props to your son for dealing with those trying circumstances, sticking it out and muddling through. 
quote:Originally posted by Dad04:
CD props to your son for dealing with those trying circumstances, sticking it out and muddling through.
poor kid......and we all thought college was supposed to be a fun experience.
Thanks for that CD. Son had Coastal on his list. After I let him read your post, something tells me it went up a couple of notches.
Google "images" for coastal carolina training room. Looks very nice.
I heard Coastal Carolina was a commuter school. 
(Running and jumping behind sand bags now)
(This is a bit of an inside joke and not serious for anybody using this post for research)
(Running and jumping behind sand bags now)(This is a bit of an inside joke and not serious for anybody using this post for research)
quote:Originally posted by CPLZ:
I heard Coastal Carolina was a commuter school.
(This is a bit of an inside joke and not serious for anybody using this post for research)
It is sort of a commuter school but they have nice on and off campus living arrangments as well. Driving is part of the gig down there as quillgirl pointed out but it is reasonable driving imho.
Curious CPLZ - does your son have a car at West Point?
quote:Originally posted by HighCheese:
Can anyone give any info on how the baseball facilities compare with some of the bigger schools? Weight room, practice facilities,ect? Also, any info on the training staff would be useful as well.
HighCheese, I cannot help you on facilities.
But I can on the Coastal Strength and Conditioning Coach.
I met Brian in 2001. He is
a former AA baseball player who truly understands how to make a major difference in his players.
Brian is an amazing motivator. I say that because he works players harder than they ever worked before or believed possible, and they come back for more and work even harder.
Additionally, his approach is carefully crafted and baseball specific. He gets results and his kids become faster, stronger, bigger and better players...much better.
On top of all of that, he is a very nice person with a very wonderful young family.
quote:heard Coastal Carolina was a commuter school.
OMG-that was a "conversation" back before my (Junior) son arrived. Truth be known, son now puts at least 10 miles a week on his vehicle.
quote:Originally posted by infielddad:quote:Originally posted by HighCheese:
Can anyone give any info on how the baseball facilities compare with some of the bigger schools? Weight room, practice facilities,ect? Also, any info on the training staff would be useful as well.
HighCheese, I cannot help you on facilities.
But I can on the Coastal Strength and Conditioning Coach.
I met Brian in 2001. He is
a former AA baseball player who truly understands how to make a major difference in his players.
Brian is an amazing motivator. I say that because he works players harder than they ever worked before or believed possible, and they come back for more and work even harder.
Additionally, his approach is carefully crafted and baseball specific. He gets results and his kids become faster, stronger, bigger and better players...much better.
On top of all of that, he is a very nice person with a very wonderful young family.
That is a great response infielddad!!
Here is a nice story about what a small world the upper levels of baseball really is. Brian Gabriel who coached infileddad's son Jason at Trinity in Texas was considering Coastal Carolina and infielddad knew me so he had Brian give me a call. Brian called me and he was very formal and serious and not sure he wanted to uproot his family and move to the deep south from his position at Columbia Univeristy in NY. I told Brian that is was a no brainer. He would be going to one of the winningest programs in the country and the nicest weather and some of the very nicest people in the country. My son loves Brian and the team affectionately calls him Gabes. All Brian has done since he has arrived is set all time records for the program in slugging percentage, home runs, stolen bases, and so forth. It is no accident that the team is knocking on the door of the very highest levels of the sport since Brian arrived on the scene.
quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Curious CPLZ - does your son have a car at West Point?
Nope, no cars for Cadets until 2nd semester Junior year...and there is no fudging on that one...or any rule for that matter.
But they do have rifles in their rooms and get graded on how well they can beat up their classmates!
Son just graduated and played ball there the past 2 years and absolutely loved the place. We're from Missouri and he had an opportunity to play for MU but passed for the chance to play for Coastal. He loves the place so much he just moved back there. Unbelievably great experience. Coach Gilmore builds more than just a baseball team every year. It became a family for my son.
Thanks for all the info. Possible option for the son.
Jeez...after reading this thread I want to let the Coastal Carolina coaches know I have a 2013 LHP that they are more then welcomed to inquire about.. 
redsox
Just so you are aware once again we be playing on their campus in September of this year and hopefully making it an annual trip
Just so you are aware once again we be playing on their campus in September of this year and hopefully making it an annual trip
quote:Originally posted by redsox8191:
Jeez...after reading this thread I want to let the Coastal Carolina coaches know I have a 2013 LHP that they are more then welcomed to inquire about..
redsox8191 - I can guarantee a sure-fire way of getting an audience in front of them and that is to attend one of their camps. Your son will get to pitch at least two innings in front of all their coaches. Obviously, it might be a little soon to start showcasing him but their camps are for grades 9-12. My son was recruited from their camp. The only caveat is that you have to stand out. If you can get him into the high 80's as a lefty by the time he is in eleventh grade, you will turn some heads down there and they indeed will inquire about him. It is also a nice place to vacation while you are down there.
The season opens in 2 days. We are starting a freshman sensation from guess where? Rhode Island!!! Anything is possible if you have the talent. Trhit's team also is another avenue of being exposed to the coaches down there. Coastal also recruits from Perfect Game events as well as the major summer tournaments.
On doing some more research, I see in the media guide they sent us that they have their pitching coach listed as a volunteer assistant. This is a concern for us, because we have heard so many good things about the coach, and with son being a pitcher, who needs any uncertainty. Any info on this would be very helpful. Thank you.
I don't see where being a volunteer assistant coach matters as long as they are getting the job done.
Some volunteer coaches do get a stipend, school included, most of the time it's because they may eventually move into the position as a full time coach or need to begin somewhere to begin the college coaching careers. This is a good thing IMO, it allows a coach familiar with the program to move into a vacant position. With CC success, the assistant coaches will soon have opportunities to go onto become HC.
UM's first base coach is a volunteer coach, so not sure about your concern. It is not all that uncommon.
Some volunteer coaches do get a stipend, school included, most of the time it's because they may eventually move into the position as a full time coach or need to begin somewhere to begin the college coaching careers. This is a good thing IMO, it allows a coach familiar with the program to move into a vacant position. With CC success, the assistant coaches will soon have opportunities to go onto become HC.
UM's first base coach is a volunteer coach, so not sure about your concern. It is not all that uncommon.
HC
Let me tell you this: there are no uncertainties when discussing coaches at Coastal---and I do not have a son there but we have had players there
They are the real deal
Let me tell you this: there are no uncertainties when discussing coaches at Coastal---and I do not have a son there but we have had players there
They are the real deal
I wouldn't be at all concerned with the pitching coach as a grad asst. I've seen that work very well. I also wouldn't be too concerned with things completely out of your control, like who will be coaching where. The coaches may or may not be wherever someone commits to when the player actually gets to school. They could be gone in June for all anyone knows and I know little about little.
I understand what you all are saying. Coaches move, are upgraded, ect. I get it. The question only was that having heard many good things about a coach whose status is volunteer assistant, he may not necessairly be there when you go to attend. I said that I have heard many good things, so his status not the issue. The issue was is he less likely to be there a couple of years from now? This is not just at Coastal, but any school. It is just another thing to think about is all. Its not bad or good, it just is what it is.
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
HC
Let me tell you this: there are no uncertainties when discussing coaches at Coastal---and I do not have a son there but we have had players there
They are the real deal
I can vouch for that staff, as well. My son does not play there nor against them...but I have followed them for years since they are a rival of the school I work at. Coach Gilmore is A-1 in my book!
From what I understand, D1 BB can only have 2 full time assistant coaches and CCU already had their 2 when they recruited Coach Thomas. As far as him being around for awhile, I heard that he recently bought a house in Conway so I think he will be. Son learned one heck of a lot from Coach T. and really liked him. D1 BB schools somehow figure out ways to get that "volunteer" enough $ to get by on. Coach Gilmore had the pitching staff before Coach T. was hired and I know he doesn't want them again. I know it's early but CCU's pitching looks really good so far and this will make Coach T's job even that much more secure.
No matter what school you choose, you may find the entire staff that recruited your son gone when you finally get there. See College of Charleston, etc., etc., etc.
No matter what school you choose, you may find the entire staff that recruited your son gone when you finally get there. See College of Charleston, etc., etc., etc.
quote:The issue was is he less likely to be there a couple of years from now? This is not just at Coastal, but any school. It is just another thing to think about is all. Its not bad or good, it just is what it is.
You are absolutely correct in the assumption. Son's HC was basically the pitching coach, but one of he grad asst.'s was a former LSU pitcher who spent time in MiBL before injury. He was very helpful with the new pitchers adjusting to college hitters the first year or two, then moved on to a HS teaching job.
I wouldn't expect any grad or volunteer guy to be there long term. The first year is the most important adjusting to the step up.
Watched Coastal play this weekend all I can say is that they are for real!They are a very good baseball Team. Well coached, lot's of pro talent. I am very impressed.
quote:Originally posted by Gary DiBart:
Watched Coastal play this weekend all I can say is that they are for real!They are a very good baseball Team. Well coached, lot's of pro talent. I am very impressed.
Gary - thanks for the kind words!
West Virginia has a nice offensive ball club and your son is off to a fine start indeed. I didn't get to see enough of them to form an opinion about their pitching but it looks like they have some pop in their lineup.
Son played for Coach T one summer - loved him and learned a lot from him. We visited Coastal and he attended a camp b/c Coach T wanted him to visit. It is beautiful - son thought it was a little small, but liked it.
I was very impressed with the coaches. Make sure you know a lot about the coaches where ever you go!
I was very impressed with the coaches. Make sure you know a lot about the coaches where ever you go!
Son received recruiting interest from CC. If he had received an offer, would have accepted in a heartbeat.
We took an unofficial visit there in Spring of 2007. First, my son and I were very impressed with the coaches. My son was recruited initially by Coach Schnall, but ended up interacting primarily with Coach D. Both coaches are great gentlemen and excellent coaches. Second, we met the strength and conditioning coach. I am guessing it's the same guy there now as back in 2007. Very impressed.
Now, some things may have changed, but at that time, I was a bit underwhelmed by their weight room for athletes. It appeared to be located in a "warehouse" type building. No A/C. Wasn't what I expected.
Baseball facilities were nice. Beautiful campus. Very solid program......
We took an unofficial visit there in Spring of 2007. First, my son and I were very impressed with the coaches. My son was recruited initially by Coach Schnall, but ended up interacting primarily with Coach D. Both coaches are great gentlemen and excellent coaches. Second, we met the strength and conditioning coach. I am guessing it's the same guy there now as back in 2007. Very impressed.
Now, some things may have changed, but at that time, I was a bit underwhelmed by their weight room for athletes. It appeared to be located in a "warehouse" type building. No A/C. Wasn't what I expected.
Baseball facilities were nice. Beautiful campus. Very solid program......
jbbaseball,
I have never been to Coastal and don't know a thing about the facilities.
I do know that strength and conditioning coach, Brian Gabriel, though.
That, to me at least, young man will make a difference in your son...and not just in baseball.
I have talked as recently as last month with former Columbia players who were lucky enough to have Brian Gabriel as their strength coach. Every one raved about him.
Whatever the facility, it is, for me, the people who make a difference. From everything I can read, that sure applies to Coach Gilmore.
From the time I met Brian Gabriel in 2001, I know Brian will make your son a better person and better player, no matter what facility he is provided.
I have never been to Coastal and don't know a thing about the facilities.
I do know that strength and conditioning coach, Brian Gabriel, though.
That, to me at least, young man will make a difference in your son...and not just in baseball.
I have talked as recently as last month with former Columbia players who were lucky enough to have Brian Gabriel as their strength coach. Every one raved about him.
Whatever the facility, it is, for me, the people who make a difference. From everything I can read, that sure applies to Coach Gilmore.
From the time I met Brian Gabriel in 2001, I know Brian will make your son a better person and better player, no matter what facility he is provided.
jb, construction of a new 57000sqf $48m Fieldhouse is underway right now. It will house new weight training facilities, that will compare to any schools, for all sports.
Hey all-
Original poster asked for any info on CCU. While "my info" is a bit outdated (2007), I felt nothing wrong in sharing it.
infielddad- couldn't agree with you more on the issue of people making a difference.
ccu89- thanks for the update. A new training facility will only add more luster to what I consider a great campus and baseball program.
To clarify, my son just finished his freshman year in college. While receiving recruiting interest from CCU, he never received an offer from the Chants and signed to play DI baseball elsewhere....
Original poster asked for any info on CCU. While "my info" is a bit outdated (2007), I felt nothing wrong in sharing it.
infielddad- couldn't agree with you more on the issue of people making a difference.
ccu89- thanks for the update. A new training facility will only add more luster to what I consider a great campus and baseball program.
To clarify, my son just finished his freshman year in college. While receiving recruiting interest from CCU, he never received an offer from the Chants and signed to play DI baseball elsewhere....
