JUCO Questions

dialedin posted:

My son is a rising Senior. We have not been actively pursuing anything for him (yes, we regret it). At this point what should we be doing to get in front of JUCO coaches? Do we contact the schools directly? We've looked at some of the contact forms and many of them ask for names of scouts who would recommend him. He hasn't been scouted (as far as we know). I guess we need to know HOW to get him scouted. He has the rest of his summer season (July) and we have him signed up for a PG showcase as well. We also signed up with NCSA and he created his profile there.

NOTE: He wants to pursue JUCO because academically, he has not done well in HS. A 3.0 GPA is out of reach. Also, we wants to go to school AND play baseball and from the research we've done, JUCO seems to fit the bill. Ideally, he wants to learn a trade although I'm not sure he can go that route AND play baseball. I think he has to be on track to go from JUCO to a 4 year college??

Are there other showcases we should be doing? Is there anything specifically geared towards JUCO?

Have him reach out to the JUCO coach's himself via phone calls & emails. Have his HS coach, travel team coach call and email as well.

If they don't answer the phone, leave a VM with contact info for a call back.

Include video in the emails he sends with all the other pertinent info. Measurable's, reason's for interest in the program, remaining summer schedule, maybe include a brief snapshot of his HS numbers (if they are good). Be sure to ask how he can get in front of them....Do they have an upcoming tryout? Do they offer any individual workout's? Will they be attending any events in the future (where they could see him play), etc.

Basically, he needs to get the dialog going (ASAP). I am not familiar with the JUCO landscape in GA. But here in AZ, JUCO's have basically finished with their 2017's and are now starting to focus heavily on the 2018's.

Good Luck!

NJCAA eligibility info:

http://static.psbin.com/p/q/df...y_Pamphlet_16-17.pdf

See section on academic eligibility, specifically A.2.a,b,c

Continuing education courses are not allowed and class credits that lead to a certificate, but not a degree, are not allowed. So, by that definition, a trade program that leads to a degree would maintain eligibility. However, these programs are usually two year terminal degrees that don't transfer. The reality is that everyone takes college transfer courses in order to transfer, and hopefully play, at a four year college.

But, if your son is interested in a trade degree program, and is interested in only playing two years, then it seems as if it can be done. But ask the coach if it is allowed to be sure.

Relatively speaking, he is actually in a pretty simple straight forward situation from a baseball standpoint.  Most JC's typically don't recruit until the player's HS senior year.  They are last on the totem pole and they know it so they don't bother recruiting guys early.  They wait and see where things shake out and which players fall through the 4-yr school cracks.  Also, most players that go the JC route pick a school fairly close to home.  So, your son just needs to contact those local JC coaches and express interest.  Then he needs to play well his senior year in HS and/or play some good travel ball this summer to show them he is a player they should want.  The local JC coaches are usually fairly in tune to the local HS talent.

You didn't mention travel ball.  Is he not playing this summer?

+1!  My son went the JuCo route.  He didn't commit to the JuCo until late in his senior year.   This was a competitive program and quite often had 4-2-4 transfers in addition to those committing from HS.  They also tended to get many players from out of the local area (we live 260 miles from that school).

Also be aware that according to NJCAA rules D1 and D2 JuCo's can offer scholarships, some states (such as Virginia) don't allow athletic scholarships to be award at the JuCo level.  In my son's case he qualified for a Commonwealth Grant that covered 95% of his tuition so be sure to complete and submit the FAFSA form.  So basically all we had to pay for was living expenses and books.  

Note the NJCAA is totally separate from the NCAA so registering with the NCAA Clearinghouse is not required.

Most (if not all) JuCo's use a abbreviated fall schedule (15-20 games) as their tryout period.  Unlike the NCAA, the NJCAA allows JuCo's to schedule games in the fall in addition to the 56 games they can schedule in the spring.

JuCo ball can be quite competitive.

dialedin posted:

My son is a rising Senior. We have not been actively pursuing anything for him (yes, we regret it). At this point what should we be doing to get in front of JUCO coaches? Do we contact the schools directly? We've looked at some of the contact forms and many of them ask for names of scouts who would recommend him. He hasn't been scouted (as far as we know). I guess we need to know HOW to get him scouted. He has the rest of his summer season (July) and we have him signed up for a PG showcase as well. We also signed up with NCSA and he created his profile there.

NOTE: He wants to pursue JUCO because academically, he has not done well in HS. A 3.0 GPA is out of reach. Also, we wants to go to school AND play baseball and from the research we've done, JUCO seems to fit the bill. Ideally, he wants to learn a trade although I'm not sure he can go that route AND play baseball. I think he has to be on track to go from JUCO to a 4 year college??

Are there other showcases we should be doing? Is there anything specifically geared towards JUCO?

I don't have much to offer from JUCO baseball perspective however you make the comment of he wants to learn a trade and play baseball. As an employer in the trades I will tell you that unless he is a getting some real good training that includes quite a bit of internship type time on the job it is going to be difficult to monetize the cost of the trade program.

If he is looking at something like construction management that would be a little different conversation. The trades themselves in the field, at least in open shop market places are all driven by talent, perceived upside of a kid and what the companies needs are.  A JUCO degree in whatever isn't going to do a whole lot for him.

old_school posted:

dialedin posted:

My son is a rising Senior. We have not been actively pursuing anything for him (yes, we regret it). At this point what should we be doing to get in front of JUCO coaches? Do we contact the schools directly? We've looked at some of the contact forms and many of them ask for names of scouts who would recommend him. He hasn't been scouted (as far as we know). I guess we need to know HOW to get him scouted. He has the rest of his summer season (July) and we have him signed up for a PG showcase as well. We also signed up with NCSA and he created his profile there.

NOTE: He wants to pursue JUCO because academically, he has not done well in HS. A 3.0 GPA is out of reach. Also, we wants to go to school AND play baseball and from the research we've done, JUCO seems to fit the bill. Ideally, he wants to learn a trade although I'm not sure he can go that route AND play baseball. I think he has to be on track to go from JUCO to a 4 year college??

Are there other showcases we should be doing? Is there anything specifically geared towards JUCO?

I don't have much to offer from JUCO baseball perspective however you make the comment of he wants to learn a trade and play baseball. As an employer in the trades I will tell you that unless he is a getting some real good training that includes quite a bit of internship type time on the job it is going to be difficult to monetize the cost of the trade program.

If he is looking at something like construction management that would be a little different conversation. The trades themselves in the field, at least in open shop market places are all driven by talent, perceived upside of a kid and what the companies needs are.  A JUCO degree in whatever isn't going to do a whole lot for him.

I don't agree that a JUCO degree isn't going to do a whole lot for him.  Is it better to go to a 4 year school?  Yes.  Is a JUCO degree worthless? I don't think so.  There are a lot of benefits to going the JUCO route.  Smaller classes, competitive baseball, and it is definitely a great place for some students to get acclimated to the college life. 

I must admit that in some ways it would have been better for Ryan to go the 4 year school way, because some of his credits didn't transfer.  However, he is seeking a degree in Accounting, and he wants to get his CPA, so any credit that doesn't transfer, he can apply towards his additional 30 credits required for the CPA.  Therefore, all of his credits from the JUCO will have value to him, and none of them are a waste. 

Yes, 4 year is better for most, but a JUCO degree is worth more than "not going to do a whole lot for him."

rynoattack posted:

old_school posted:

dialedin posted:

My son is a rising Senior. We have not been actively pursuing anything for him (yes, we regret it). At this point what should we be doing to get in front of JUCO coaches? Do we contact the schools directly? We've looked at some of the contact forms and many of them ask for names of scouts who would recommend him. He hasn't been scouted (as far as we know). I guess we need to know HOW to get him scouted. He has the rest of his summer season (July) and we have him signed up for a PG showcase as well. We also signed up with NCSA and he created his profile there.

NOTE: He wants to pursue JUCO because academically, he has not done well in HS. A 3.0 GPA is out of reach. Also, we wants to go to school AND play baseball and from the research we've done, JUCO seems to fit the bill. Ideally, he wants to learn a trade although I'm not sure he can go that route AND play baseball. I think he has to be on track to go from JUCO to a 4 year college??

Are there other showcases we should be doing? Is there anything specifically geared towards JUCO?

I don't have much to offer from JUCO baseball perspective however you make the comment of he wants to learn a trade and play baseball. As an employer in the trades I will tell you that unless he is a getting some real good training that includes quite a bit of internship type time on the job it is going to be difficult to monetize the cost of the trade program.

If he is looking at something like construction management that would be a little different conversation. The trades themselves in the field, at least in open shop market places are all driven by talent, perceived upside of a kid and what the companies needs are.  A JUCO degree in whatever isn't going to do a whole lot for him.

I don't agree that a JUCO degree isn't going to do a whole lot for him.  Is it better to go to a 4 year school?  Yes.  Is a JUCO degree worthless? I don't think so.  There are a lot of benefits to going the JUCO route.  Smaller classes, competitive baseball, and it is definitely a great place for some students to get acclimated to the college life. 

I must admit that in some ways it would have been better for Ryan to go the 4 year school way, because some of his credits didn't transfer.  However, he is seeking a degree in Accounting, and he wants to get his CPA, so any credit that doesn't transfer, he can apply towards his additional 30 credits required for the CPA.  Therefore, all of his credits from the JUCO will have value to him, and none of them are a waste. 

Yes, 4 year is better for most, but a JUCO degree is worth more than "not going to do a whole lot for him."

check out the bolded statement in the original question and my response bolded...he referenced the trades. I don't know of any JUCO that has trades based curriculum and a baseball program where it is going to benefit him...unless he is looking for construction management.

old_school posted:

dialedin posted:

My son is a rising Senior. We have not been actively pursuing anything for him (yes, we regret it). At this point what should we be doing to get in front of JUCO coaches? Do we contact the schools directly? We've looked at some of the contact forms and many of them ask for names of scouts who would recommend him. He hasn't been scouted (as far as we know). I guess we need to know HOW to get him scouted. He has the rest of his summer season (July) and we have him signed up for a PG showcase as well. We also signed up with NCSA and he created his profile there.

NOTE: He wants to pursue JUCO because academically, he has not done well in HS. A 3.0 GPA is out of reach. Also, we wants to go to school AND play baseball and from the research we've done, JUCO seems to fit the bill. Ideally, he wants to learn a trade although I'm not sure he can go that route AND play baseball. I think he has to be on track to go from JUCO to a 4 year college??

Are there other showcases we should be doing? Is there anything specifically geared towards JUCO?

I don't have much to offer from JUCO baseball perspective however you make the comment of he wants to learn a trade and play baseball. As an employer in the trades I will tell you that unless he is a getting some real good training that includes quite a bit of internship type time on the job it is going to be difficult to monetize the cost of the trade program.

If he is looking at something like construction management that would be a little different conversation. The trades themselves in the field, at least in open shop market places are all driven by talent, perceived upside of a kid and what the companies needs are.  A JUCO degree in whatever isn't going to do a whole lot for him.

The bolded part is simply not true. 

Here are a few examples of terminal degrees or certificate programs offered by JuCos that allow excellent job prospects upon graduation.

Auto Tech
Emergency Medical Tech
Police Officer Academy
Corrections Officer Academy
Bookkeeper and Payroll
Human Resources
RE Sales / Loan Officer
Nurse
IT Support
Firefighter Academy
Culinary
Hospitality
HVAC Mechanic
Radiology Tech
Medical Records

And these are mostly traditional fields - there are a quite a few programming and database jobs that can be handled by folks with AA degrees. The growth in those fields and in health care is obviously huge.  Another thing I've been reading about is the future impact of Jucos on manufacturing jobs.  Modern automatic factories don't need people can use a drill press or spot weld  - they need people with advanced robotic and computer skills to supervise processes, and the role of Jucos in training those people will be significant.

old_school posted:

rynoattack posted:

old_school posted:

dialedin posted:

My son is a rising Senior. We have not been actively pursuing anything for him (yes, we regret it). At this point what should we be doing to get in front of JUCO coaches? Do we contact the schools directly? We've looked at some of the contact forms and many of them ask for names of scouts who would recommend him. He hasn't been scouted (as far as we know). I guess we need to know HOW to get him scouted. He has the rest of his summer season (July) and we have him signed up for a PG showcase as well. We also signed up with NCSA and he created his profile there.

NOTE: He wants to pursue JUCO because academically, he has not done well in HS. A 3.0 GPA is out of reach. Also, we wants to go to school AND play baseball and from the research we've done, JUCO seems to fit the bill. Ideally, he wants to learn a trade although I'm not sure he can go that route AND play baseball. I think he has to be on track to go from JUCO to a 4 year college??

Are there other showcases we should be doing? Is there anything specifically geared towards JUCO?

I don't have much to offer from JUCO baseball perspective however you make the comment of he wants to learn a trade and play baseball. As an employer in the trades I will tell you that unless he is a getting some real good training that includes quite a bit of internship type time on the job it is going to be difficult to monetize the cost of the trade program.

If he is looking at something like construction management that would be a little different conversation. The trades themselves in the field, at least in open shop market places are all driven by talent, perceived upside of a kid and what the companies needs are.  A JUCO degree in whatever isn't going to do a whole lot for him.

I don't agree that a JUCO degree isn't going to do a whole lot for him.  Is it better to go to a 4 year school?  Yes.  Is a JUCO degree worthless? I don't think so.  There are a lot of benefits to going the JUCO route.  Smaller classes, competitive baseball, and it is definitely a great place for some students to get acclimated to the college life. 

I must admit that in some ways it would have been better for Ryan to go the 4 year school way, because some of his credits didn't transfer.  However, he is seeking a degree in Accounting, and he wants to get his CPA, so any credit that doesn't transfer, he can apply towards his additional 30 credits required for the CPA.  Therefore, all of his credits from the JUCO will have value to him, and none of them are a waste. 

Yes, 4 year is better for most, but a JUCO degree is worth more than "not going to do a whole lot for him."

check out the bolded statement in the original question and my response bolded...he referenced the trades. I don't know of any JUCO that has trades based curriculum and a baseball program where it is going to benefit him...unless he is looking for construction management.

I was going to respond, but JCG handled it perfectly. 

Yes, I totally understood the response. Makes sense. Thanks for all the feedback and help!