We all know about the academic part, but does anyone know about the baseball piece of the equation?
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Generally speaking, all Ivy League programs hover around each other in terms of their level of play. Harvard was at one time, perhaps, the program to beat (though every program hits their stride in the Ivy League; right now it happens to be Dartmouth, before that it was Princeton, before that it was Harvard, etc). They've hit a bit of a lull lately but they're still getting good recruits to my knowledge and will compete for the Ivy title just as much as every other team IMO.
Their facilities were okay when I visited - several other Ivies had more impressive fields, but Harvard's is adequate; it just won't blow anyone away I don't think. Sentiments toward the coaching staff seems to be a bit of a love/hate thing depending on whom you ask; I was never crazy about the coaches but they weren't bad either, so I guess I'm one of the few who's never had a really polarized opinion about them. Definitely they have built a respectable program though and I'm sure they appeal to a large number of people.
Obviously, though you already mentioned it yourself, Harvard is the creamiest of the cream of the crop academically. Though ultimately choosing another program in the Ivy League, it was a bit hard for me initially to see past that fact; clearly, however, all Ivy League schools are incredibly prestigious and top-class (and my choice as a player also partially had to do with a particular academic area which the Ivy I chose had but Harvard lacked).
Their facilities were okay when I visited - several other Ivies had more impressive fields, but Harvard's is adequate; it just won't blow anyone away I don't think. Sentiments toward the coaching staff seems to be a bit of a love/hate thing depending on whom you ask; I was never crazy about the coaches but they weren't bad either, so I guess I'm one of the few who's never had a really polarized opinion about them. Definitely they have built a respectable program though and I'm sure they appeal to a large number of people.
Obviously, though you already mentioned it yourself, Harvard is the creamiest of the cream of the crop academically. Though ultimately choosing another program in the Ivy League, it was a bit hard for me initially to see past that fact; clearly, however, all Ivy League schools are incredibly prestigious and top-class (and my choice as a player also partially had to do with a particular academic area which the Ivy I chose had but Harvard lacked).
Harvard's head coach is one of the most well liked and respected coaches in the game. Also, one of the hardest workers. He is down here in Jupiter Florida right now searching for outstanding players that qualify academically. In fact we just got through talking to him about 30 minutes ago. He has also been very involved in the Cape Cod League over the years.
If I had one young enough (and smart enough) I'd love to have him play baseball at Harvard for Joe Walsh.
If I had one young enough (and smart enough) I'd love to have him play baseball at Harvard for Joe Walsh.
I do not know that much about the Harvard program, but I think the prior comments concerning the Ivy programs in general are accurate. If interested, I know a great deal more about the Columbia program and would be happy to discuss. Coach Boretti at Columbia is very, very good in my view. He played at Davidson and really embraces the notion that excellent academics and excellent baseball can co-exist. He runs the best practices I have observed. Very nice facility that was built recently adjacent to the football stadium. If you are looking for a high quality education and a good baseball experience Columbia is a school to be considered.
Thanks for the replies.
I'm not sure if my young Jr. is quite ready for the academic challenge of an ivy or the 2100 mile commute, but Harvard is Harvard. I grew up in the area and you have to ask when they ask about you.
I'm not sure if my young Jr. is quite ready for the academic challenge of an ivy or the 2100 mile commute, but Harvard is Harvard. I grew up in the area and you have to ask when they ask about you.
The Ivies are certainly all academically challenging. What is arguably the harder part though is simply getting in. As a baseball player for Ivy League schools you have to meet certain "Academic Index" guidelines, determined by a mix of your GPA and standardized testing scores. Generally speaking you'll want your son to have a GPA in the high 3s and an SAT score in the 2000s, though there is a bit of leeway with this depending on your son's athletic ability.
I agree with all posters. Ivy baseball offers many opportunities and challenges. For us, the "fit" was unique as it plays a D1 schedule with less number of games, and emphasizes academics as the priority. Athletics does not interfere with the classroom.
Each baseball program is also unique as you would expect, but the toughest part in getting in. If you are being recruited by an Ivy (Harvard in this case), you can expect more Ivys to follow as the number of available student athletes is small.
If you have questions about the Cornell program, please let me know.
jgrays - I'm looking forward to seeing the new Columbia baseball stadium this Spring as well as getting a good slice of NY pizza during the game. ;-)
Each baseball program is also unique as you would expect, but the toughest part in getting in. If you are being recruited by an Ivy (Harvard in this case), you can expect more Ivys to follow as the number of available student athletes is small.
If you have questions about the Cornell program, please let me know.
jgrays - I'm looking forward to seeing the new Columbia baseball stadium this Spring as well as getting a good slice of NY pizza during the game. ;-)
As much as the IVY schools are similar in both sports and academics each of them have quirks in what they do
Jmoff,
I think Cmoff will have to consider it strongly! Based on what I saw yesterday at the Junior Fall Classic, he may even contribute as a Freshman. Of course, the academic part will always be hard but I assume all the Ivy Programs and most D1 colleges have a student Liason/Tutoring program to help the student athletes and it will depend on the athlete himself to use this resources to his full advantage.
On another thread, I have asked what are the usual majors baseball players take. Was wondering what are the usual major that a baseball athlete in an Ivy take?
Fenway South and J grays I will ask you about Cornell and Columbia but will research previous threads first and if outdated I will post a thread. Saw a 3 Ivy league scouts in yesterday's games Columbia, Yale and Darthmouth.
I think Cmoff will have to consider it strongly! Based on what I saw yesterday at the Junior Fall Classic, he may even contribute as a Freshman. Of course, the academic part will always be hard but I assume all the Ivy Programs and most D1 colleges have a student Liason/Tutoring program to help the student athletes and it will depend on the athlete himself to use this resources to his full advantage.
On another thread, I have asked what are the usual majors baseball players take. Was wondering what are the usual major that a baseball athlete in an Ivy take?
Fenway South and J grays I will ask you about Cornell and Columbia but will research previous threads first and if outdated I will post a thread. Saw a 3 Ivy league scouts in yesterday's games Columbia, Yale and Darthmouth.
Fenway - it is a very nice facility. you will enjoy it. as far as the ny pizza goes you will have to leave the neighborhood. the highlight of the "food emporiums" near the stadium is a dunkin donuts.
also agree with TRhit - each Ivy has its own unique "quirks".
also agree with TRhit - each Ivy has its own unique "quirks".
quote:...I assume all the Ivy Programs and most D1 colleges have a student Liason/Tutoring program to help the student athletes and it will depend on the athlete himself to use this resources to his full advantage
We've seen different approaches to this with ALL the schools that we visited. In a lot of cases, it depends on the relationship of the athletic dept and academic dept's. The Ivy's that I know well do offer a strong tutoring resource. It is optional, and there is no mandatory study hall....it is assumed you will study on your own. The freshmen baseball players and select others have weekly meeting (15 min) with the coach to review academic status and results. I paid particular attention to this tutoring resource service during our recruiting process. I wanted to make sure there was a safety net as my son made the freshmen adjustment, and took on a challenging major. So far he is thriving.
quote:also agree with TRhit - each Ivy has its own unique "quirks".
No question about it. Academically, athletically and socially they are very different. It is just a conference, and the member schools are all unique. The one thing they have in common is the academic rigor.
quote:as far as the ny pizza goes you will have to leave the neighborhood.
jgrays - I guess I'll have it delivered to the stadium or sneak it inside my computer bag! ;-)
quote:Originally posted by jgrays:
Fenway - it is a very nice facility. you will enjoy it. as far as the ny pizza goes you will have to leave the neighborhood. the highlight of the "food emporiums" near the stadium is a dunkin donuts.
fenwaysouth: You may want to try what many consider the "real little Italy" of New York, about a 5 mile trip from Columbia.
www.arthuravenuebronx.com/
birdman14,
Thanks for the reminder. Actually, I have heard of it but forgot about it until you mentioned it. I lived in the City for 4 years back in the 80s (Koch and Dinkins years). I'll have to check it out before the games.
Thanks for the reminder. Actually, I have heard of it but forgot about it until you mentioned it. I lived in the City for 4 years back in the 80s (Koch and Dinkins years). I'll have to check it out before the games.
I was told by a dad who's son was accepted to Harvard for baseball that having a "Harvard" degree opened many doors in the working/business world. Of course the son took the offer.
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
Harvard's head coach is one of the most well liked and respected coaches in the game. Also, one of the hardest workers. He is down here in Jupiter Florida right now searching for outstanding players that qualify academically. In fact we just got through talking to him about 30 minutes ago. He has also been very involved in the Cape Cod League over the years.
If I had one young enough (and smart enough) I'd love to have him play baseball at Harvard for Joe Walsh.
quote:Originally posted by jgrays:
Fenway - it is a very nice facility. you will enjoy it. as far as the ny pizza goes you will have to leave the neighborhood. the highlight of the "food emporiums" near the stadium is a dunkin donuts.
also agree with TRhit - each Ivy has its own unique "quirks".
Hello Jgrays --- is your NYGrays a u14 ---or rather, was it a U14 at the PG BCS U14 in July?? If so, I owe you a thank you note for finding my son's bat bag!!! We really enjoyed playing you guys down there, classy team.
BaseballMom - Yes, that was us - the NY Grays - at the PG 14U BCS tournament. I really appreciate your kind words. We take a great deal of pride in the conduct of our players, coaches, and families. It is a point of emphasis for us. So, it is really nice to receive those compliments. Hope to see your team there gain next season.
Yes we plan to be there again. Hope our paths will cross! My team oves you guys for turning in my son's bagquote:Originally posted by jgrays:
BaseballMom - Yes, that was us - the NY Grays - at the PG 14U BCS tournament. I really appreciate your kind words. We take a great deal of pride in the conduct of our players, coaches, and families. It is a point of emphasis for us. So, it is really nice to receive those compliments. Hope to see your team there gain next season.
