I would appreciate any comments on the coaching staffs and programs at Lynchburg and Christopher Newport University. I've read a bunch of older threads and it sounds like both are solid programs. Thank you.
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I just sent you a PM.
My son has 2-3 former travel team mates who play there. I'm good friends and speak regularly with the father of one of them and get lots of inside, albeit one-sided, perspective. Great school, good coaching, and established baseball program with a winning tradition. Not perfect though, PM if you'd like to know more than that.
We looked at Lynchburg College now University of Lynchburg a couple years ago. Coaching change since then.
I can’t speak to the baseball at either place unfortunately.
Lynchburg is one of the 40 colleges that change lives (ctcl.org). Our family really liked the school. My guy did not end up there, though both my sons ultimately went to other schools that are part of CTCL. In our experience, these CTCL member schools are fantastic.
I took son to watch Christopher Newport play when he was looking at schools. At the time, CNU was ranked ranked #2.
CNU's field is very nice. I did not think the same of Lynchburg's, when son played on the fields years ago. Things may have improved there.
CNU is the best deal for your D3 buck if you are a Virginia resident, IMHO. It is the only (?) state supported D3 baseball school in VA. (opps, Univ. of Mary Washington is D3 and is a state school).
None of this answered your questions though lol.
A few year ago, my youngest son was part of the Play in School Bus Tour that went to 25+ Virginia schools. http://www.playinschool.com/bus_tour.html. It was a fantanstic experience and I don't know if PIS is still doing it. My son commented much more positively about CNU than Lynchburg on the tour, and I know several players that have played for both over the years. I was not impressed with the athletic facilities at Lynchburg when I stopped in 5+ years ago. They may have been updated by now.
One of the more recent comments I've heard is that CNU is taking a lot of D1 & JUCO transfers into their program especially from the Hampton Roads area. Apparently these recruits did not have a good experience elsewhere and they've come home to give CNU a try. I agree with Keewart that CNU and Univ of Mary Washington are great deals if that is a consideration. My son was impressed with Univ of Mary Washington despite not wanting to visit.
I know a few current CNU players. They all say they love it there. I talked to the coach at a coaches clinic, and I was impressed with him. The field is nice and I believe they are suppose to build an inside hitting facility. They have a great fitness center.
My daughter just graduated from CNU. She ran track and cross country.
Both of our sons played at and graduated from CNU and I cannot say enough good things about the program. Coach Harvell is a good coach, the stadium and facilities are top notch, the travel and hotels are first class, and the players are treated well. Our sons got a great education. Coach Harvell is not a Marine drilling type of coach but the players always like him and he stays in touch with quite a few players after they graduate. The school is remarkable, having built many new buildings right through the toughest economic times. Everything is cutting edge state of the art from the dorms to the library to the technology that abounds everywhere. For my two cents, if a player doesn't land a nice D-1 scholly in Virginia, CNU should be at the top of their list. They don't have to recruit hard as the school sells itself, but their academic requirements are substantial-without a good GPA and SAT, admission is not easy. Anyone can PM me with questions as I was a "CNU baseball dad" for 6 years.