I would love your input on the IUP baseball program and development of players. Have heard great things about the coach but of course want first hand information. Also curious about the same detail on Shippensburg as well as Millersville. I look forward to your thoughts/comments.
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Coach Ditch is a 1st class individual. During a recruiting visit two years ago I was very impressed with him. My son has played in the PSAC for two years now, we have gotten to know some IUP players and families through summer leagues and have heard no complaints about the program.
IUP campus is one of the nicer, IMO, in the PSAC west. A lot of new construction, new dorms, new basketball arena, etc.
A couple of former classmates of my sons attend there and just love IUP, it always has had a party school reputation ( a sister attended there in the 70’s).
I don't have any 1st hand info on the other two programs, Millersville's record the last couple of years should indicate the program is pretty solid. I watched them play some games in the NCAA regional last year and they didn't have any weak spots.
All of the state schools in the PSAC have about the same recruiting budget, (very limited) , the max money per player is usually around $1,000 - $1,500. Academic money seams limited also. The few privates in the league have bigger budgets to work with.
I know a local 2014 SS who committed there for next year and another MIF transfer who will be starting there this fall. Coach Ditch always seams to attract and keep some pretty good local talent.
Good luck with your decision.
Slippery rock’s Coach Messer has been there 30 years. He is top notch, spend 5 minutes with him and it’s like you’re talking to your best friend. Great guy and ambassador for the game. Players love the guy.
It seems like he gets somebody drafted every year, they had a pitcher, Trevino drafted two years ago, SS last year. Kengor I think was his name. Matt Adams is doing a nice job for the St. Louis Cards.
Another beautiful campus, with one of the nicest on campus baseball stadiums you will find in D2. SR also has built numerous new dorms, they just built a new student center two years ago that is really nice. Not only do I see these campuses during ball season but I am in the construction business and have done numerous projects on most of the college campuses in the tri state area. SR’s only downside for some is the size of the town itself. There is not a lot of off campus things for kids to do. Pittsburgh is only an hour or so away..
They have also stepped up their academic programs, based on a couple of kids I know who have moved on to graduate programs elsewhere.
One nice thing about the PSAC is driving distances between schools. Being an hour to 1 ½ hours away to conference games is extremely convenient. Being able to attend all of the conference games is priceless!
The only time east plays west is pre or post season. Post season PSAC tournament has been juggling between Johnstown and Butler, PA . I don’t know what they have planned in future years.
