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21 replies

Florida Gulf Coast Vs. Florida Atlantic

B Bobcats1410+ posts
Right now I'm pretty much debating between playing at Florida Gulf Coast or Florida Atlantic next year, but am still waiting on a few other schools that are staying in the picture. Here's my situation, and I'd like to see what others here would do in the same sort of thing:

The Gulf Coast head coach Dave Tollett came to a game last week after keeping in contact over several months, and offered me on the spot. I will receive immediate playing time at FGCU, a D-II school that will be jumping to D-I in the Atlantic Sun after my freshman year. They have been consistently ranked in the top 25 D-II polls in the nation, and have a solid program that should probably be able to become competitve pretty quickly at the D-I level. I'll be heading there on an official visit soon, but a friend of mine that plays there said the campus and facilities are amazing. It's also far enough from home to be independent, but close enough to drive back every once in a while.

I've been in contact with FAU's recruiting coordinator John MacCormack and assistant coach George Roig for a while now, and after seeing me play a few times, coach Roig has told me that he wants me playing at FAU next season for sure. The catch is scholarship money... This late in the game, they have none left. At FAU, which is located in my hometown of Boca Raton, I won't start nor will I be under scholarship until my sophomore year. The scholarship part is not a financial problem (qualified for 75% bright futures) but more of a sense of reassurance that they're going to work with me harder because they have something invested in me.

My question is: Is it worth waiting a year for a scholarship and playing time at FAU, a consistent top 25 D-I school, for should I take the offer from the top 25 D-II soon-to-be D-I school with immediate playing time? I don't see myself getting any more exposure at FAU than at Gulf Coast considering we'll be in the same conference, and it can only be better to get a year of experience under my belt at FGCU rather than rotting on a bench at FAU for a year...

Everyone else's thoughts?
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B Bobcats1410+ posts
Well, it's all not just that simple, either. I mean, FAU is always a top 25 team... doesn't get much better than that. And Coach Cooney is as good as it gets as well, where as I've heard a few negitive things about the staff at FGCU. From what I can gather, their coaches seem great, but that's also from a recruits standpoint. It could be completely different when I get there...
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
Either school you will have to earn your spot, scholarship or no scholarship.
You can use your Bright Futures at either school.
Both are fine schools, with one being in your back yard, one not. Positive and negative things being told to you is common, even if you attend the best program in the country.

Personally, in my opinion, if a school has recruited you and REALLY wants you to play for them, they will find a way to get you some money, without you having to solely rely on the money you earned as a Bright Futures recipient.
Last edited by TPM
R Royals10+ posts
The campus at Gulf Coast is very nice. I do not know the coaches a FAU.

Your comment that coaches seem great from a recruit's stand point is a very good observation. Things are not always what they seem to be on first impressisons. You should try to talk to former players at both schools. Also try to talk to HS coaches who have sent players to these schools.

Royals
hsbsblfanhsbsblfan10+ posts
A friend of my son's didn't sign with Gulf Coast for that reason. He wanted to sign with a school who would have an opportunity forpost season play. I don't think it was 5 years that they had to sit out. He ended up signing with Florida Southern, another great baseball school. FAU has made the same offer to a couple of players in our area. No money and no guaranteed playing time but they would like them on the team.
Dad04Dad045,000+ posts
The FGCU lakeside tiki huts behind the student condo's (dorms), waterski jumps and friday afternoon volleyball games might sway your opinion. The brand new "everything" looks good too.

FAU is a mid-major with a current RPI of 95, well above 25. FGCU will be a mid-major in D1. FAU goes to the Sunbelt Conference next year playing a little stronger schedule than FGCU in the A-Sun.

Go where they want you and not just you wanting them, if you are OK with no post season, which is a big reason to play, in the first place.

TPM is right though, you will have to earn your at-bats or innings pitched....everyday.
C Coachric1,000+ posts
Just my input here. FGCU has a great campus, facility and Tollet and his staff do a great job. I wouldn't worry about the possible move to D-1 as it will be a struggle to get any post season games in the first few years anyway.
FAU would like to have many kids. There roster has been over 40 a few times recently, with no guarantees of playing time.
No one guarantees playing time, but at FGCU you will face the best D-2 competition in the nation, U of Tampa, Fla Southern and some other great competition. And if you are capable, you will actually be playing against these teams. At FAU, you may be a jr before you see any substantial pt. Good luck in whatever you decide.
B Bobcats1410+ posts
I went on my visit to FGCU yesterday. It wasn't everything I hoping it to be, but still pretty nice.

Here's my question: My time table to sign is a week. Is that just a little too early or is that understandable? Because I would like some time to decide, but I understand they need a commitment... I just don't think that's as reasonable as it should be.
R Royals10+ posts
I would suggest not signing until you are sure where you want to go to school. You need to be comfortable at the school where you plan on living for the next few years. Also try to find former players from FGCU, if you think this is your top choice. Things are not always what they seem to be once you actually sign. Things always look good on a recruiting visit.

Royals
PopTimePopTime500+ posts
Obviously if there are doubts you shouldn't sign. When we toured FGCU I was awestruck. Just to satisfy my own curiousity, what was it that "wasn't everything you were hoping it would be"? You must have very high standards. Tour a few more campuses and then go back to FGCU, you might see things differently then.
PopTimePopTime500+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Royals:
The real question is are you comfortable with the coaching staff. Things may seem great on a recruiting trip. Attitudes and personalities of the coaches can change once a player is signed and on campus.

Royals


My son liked Coach Tollett. Wasn't too fond of the Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator right off the bat. FGCU was stretch for us anyway but that made it easy to cross them off the list.

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