If anyone has experience or information about these schools/progrmas, I would be interested in hearing. Thanks.
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Couple of son's teammates from high school play for W&M and they expressed some interest in my son, though we never got as far along as a visit. Feedback we've gotten from son's friends regarding the coaching staff is positive. Very tough academically with a serious academic atmosphere. There are others on this site with more in-depth knowledge of the school and program.
SF
I have been friends with Frank Leoni, the W&M coach for a number of years---not only is he a great coach but he is even a better person
Academically W&M is top notch
Watch Coach Leoni turn the baseball program at W&M around in quick order
I have been friends with Frank Leoni, the W&M coach for a number of years---not only is he a great coach but he is even a better person
Academically W&M is top notch
Watch Coach Leoni turn the baseball program at W&M around in quick order
W&M is smaller than many people think. It is also a state university, though many think it is private. About 5400 undergrads I think. Curriculum is limited to liberal arts, business and education. Reputation is national; considered among the elite schools.
Baseball there had a checkered past until Jim Farr arrived and built a real program for the first time, through the '90's. Their stadium was a big step forward and is still very good for a CAA program. The team has placed several in MLB of late, including Chris Ray, Bill Bray, and others.
JMU was originally a women's teacher's college, but through the 1970's it transformed into a major university. I think it has about 14,000 undergrads now. Strong business and education majors, also communications I think. Baseball has been building there for a long time. JMU just cut several men's sports due to Title IX issues, but baseball was spared. They have an All American on their roster this year and seem to be building a winning tradition. Sports on campus has gotten a boost from the football team, which won the I-AA national championship two years ago (though they sure blew a lead last night!).
Both Harrisonburg and Williamsburg are small town atmospheres, though W&M is in the middle of a tourist trap for sure.
Baseball there had a checkered past until Jim Farr arrived and built a real program for the first time, through the '90's. Their stadium was a big step forward and is still very good for a CAA program. The team has placed several in MLB of late, including Chris Ray, Bill Bray, and others.
JMU was originally a women's teacher's college, but through the 1970's it transformed into a major university. I think it has about 14,000 undergrads now. Strong business and education majors, also communications I think. Baseball has been building there for a long time. JMU just cut several men's sports due to Title IX issues, but baseball was spared. They have an All American on their roster this year and seem to be building a winning tradition. Sports on campus has gotten a boost from the football team, which won the I-AA national championship two years ago (though they sure blew a lead last night!).
Both Harrisonburg and Williamsburg are small town atmospheres, though W&M is in the middle of a tourist trap for sure.
TR,
I also like Coach Leoni and the rest of the coaching staff at W&M. The facility is second to none in the CAA and the school is tops nationally.
Coach Leoni would be well served to bring the W&M program to the level it attained under Coach Farr. Hopefully he can recruit as well as the previous staff did. This year will go a long way to showing how their recruiting is going.
I also like Coach Leoni and the rest of the coaching staff at W&M. The facility is second to none in the CAA and the school is tops nationally.
Coach Leoni would be well served to bring the W&M program to the level it attained under Coach Farr. Hopefully he can recruit as well as the previous staff did. This year will go a long way to showing how their recruiting is going.
I know both schools played Clemson last year. Playing against better competition makes for a great baseball program!
Check out their schedules.
Check out their schedules.
In regards to W&M one concern "might" be that they are not fully funded for scholly's. As others have said excellent school.
That is an issue at many "mid-majors". In fact I don't know if JMU is fully funded, either. I do know that W&M is not, and last info I had, they weren't close and they weren't going to get close anytime soon.
I think this may have been part of what chafed Farr and may have contributed to his departure.
I think this may have been part of what chafed Farr and may have contributed to his departure.
JMU went to the College World Series in 1983. They have a meaningful program nearly every year with lots of good players. Beautiful town.
A fully funded program is 11.5 scholarships. W&M has always had roughly half that number. A more important concern is the academic level needed to be accepted at W&M. It is significantly higher than many mid majors.
In spite of this W&M has had much success in developing pro prospects. It has also had very high graduation rates. Since most college ball players don't go pro and those that do have a high attrition rate, the diploma you recieve is the most important benefit you walk away with.
In spite of this W&M has had much success in developing pro prospects. It has also had very high graduation rates. Since most college ball players don't go pro and those that do have a high attrition rate, the diploma you recieve is the most important benefit you walk away with.
Attended a camp there and was impressed by the coaching staff. W&M has 2.3 scholarships available - according to Coach Leoni. The school also does not grant academic scholarships. However a wide array of financial assitance packages are available. A grad rate of approx 98% shows commitment to excellence.
Beenverygoodtome,
Was he referring to in-state or out of state tuition prices? W&M is a state school and there is a significant difference.
Was he referring to in-state or out of state tuition prices? W&M is a state school and there is a significant difference.
My understanding was that the 2.3 was for the entire team, regardless of what state they were from...Again my understanding regarding academic shcolarships was for any state. Tuition was different for in state vs. out of state...
