The Philadelphia Area Schools

Lafayette and Villanova would both be good choices based on their locations and academics.

To begin with Rider is headed to the Final 64 this season

Villanova is a middle of the pack team in the Big East. They annually get their record over .500 beating up on the other teams you listed. Nova only funds six rides.

Temple, Saint Josephs and Lasalle are in the A10. In 2007 they finished last, next to last and two positions from last. Temple appears to be rebounding. Saint Josephs has what I'll guess is the worst facility in D1 baseball. They are supposed to have a new field in two or three years (land has been acquired/tenant hasn't moved yet). Saint Joseph's also doesn't have a coach. The interim is rumored to be the front runner for the position. LaSalle I don't know about.

Villanova is far and away the best of them academically. It has the best campus. Temple is in the ghetto. Athletes I know at Temple say it's OK as long as staying near the campus. I wouldn't wander two blocks from the campus even if armed. Everyone else might be. Saint Josephs and LaSalle are in mediocre areas with nice campuses. I'm not sure what campus life is like. But I believe Temple, LaSalle and Saint Josephs have a lot of commuters. I don't know anything about Rider except it's in one of the lowest ranked D1 conferences who might not be able to beat the top ranked D3 teams. Are you Penn material academically?

Also in the area (sixty miles), Lafayette, Lehigh, Rutgers and Delaware.

You might want to send a PM to Jmepop who's son plays at Lafayette.

Temple also just got whacked (scholarships reduced) by the NCAA for academic (APR) problems. I concur with RJM's assessment.

Wow. This is not encouraging at all. Academics probably preclude Villanova and definitely Penn. Other city schools are all questionable. Suburban schools (Lehigh) also out of range academically. I will maybe look at Lafayette.

Going back to LaSalle and St. Joseph's--are the areas they are in good or just okay? Is there an off-campus life in those places or are you stuck on campus because of the neighborhoods?

I think you will find that Lafayette's academics are just as tough if not tougher than Lehigh and Villanova. Lafayette being in the Patriot League doesn't offer baseball scholarships although they will get you academic money if you qualify and provide need based aid if that is the case.

Baseball program is pretty good although this was a bit of a down year. Last year we went to the NCAA"s as the Conference Champs. School and Campus are very nice and facilities are top notch. Next year there will be a lot of returning seniors so positions may be open by the time you are ready to go.

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I think you will find that Lafayette's academics are just as tough if not tougher than Lehigh and Villanova.

Agreed

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Going back to LaSalle and St. Joseph's--are the areas they are in good or just okay? Is there an off-campus life in those places or are you stuck on campus because of the neighborhoods?

They're good schools in areas you wouldn't want to wander too far. If I wanted to get off campus I would get in the car. I wouldn't take public transporation in those areas. Have you looked at their recent baseball success (or lack of)?

Are you definitely committed to looking at just DI schools? There are some DIII schools in the area you are discussing where you can get a good education and play some good baseball, and maybe get some academic money if your grades/scores are high enough. If interested, take a look at the Centennial conference schools for example, and see how your academics stack up to some of those schools.

Please don't fall into the all the hype about the area Temple, St. Joes or LaSalle is in. I don't care were you go there is always a risk. Temple plays in Ambler which is a beautiful area, St. Joes is getting a new field directly across from campus (which is great) and LaSalle plays right on campus. These are great schools and baseball programs if you are looking to stay local, please don't let anyone tell you diffrently!

Thanks to everyone for this information. It is very helpful. I will have to spend time at each school, on each campus, thus summer and fall also see how the academics stack up. Thanks.

Tough area I wouldn't let my son attend and we are familar with city line ave etc

Man gunned down near St. Joe’s
By Inquirer staff

Police this morning identified a 38-year-old man shot to death near St. Joseph's University in the city's Overbrook section last night.
***x ***xx, of the 2200 block of North 59th Street, was shot in the face and back of the head in the 5600 block of Wynnefield Avenue shortly before 10 p.m., police said.

He was found lying on a path between two houses and pronounced dead at 10:14 p.m. at the scene, police said.

No arrests were reported.

Isaac:

Spent some time around Rider athletics a few years ago and still try to keep up. My impression, though not funded fully basbeall is important to the administration compared to other sports (except basketball) A good source tells me they are funded at 6 scholarships and most others in their league are similarly funded. Rider coach has some ties to your home state of Va, I believe he attended or coached at Bridgewater U. As TRhit noted they are in the tourney this year and it appears new coach has it going in right direction. Campus was mostly constructed in the 60's so lacks the architectural charm of many college campuses, but it's ok(and safe). Good academic reputation in the local area particularly for business related majors.

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I don't care were you go there is always a risk.

The risk is just a little higher on North Broad. I'd say a kid is a lot less likely to get shot crossing the street near the Villanova campus on the Main Line than Temple. And LaSalle isn't that far from Temple.

Check their statistical archives over the past few years if you want to believe they are great programs. One was mediocre this year. One is absolutely pathetic. Hopefully getting a facility will aid recruiting. Historically they're losing programs.

I wish these programs were better. It would be an opportunity to watch better college ball.

Thanks again for all of this candid insight. I really need to get up there and take a look around.

rw6--yes, I like what the Rider program is doing. It seems to be up-and-coming.

Of course, when these schools fail to fund the program at even 11.7 scholarships, they will struggle because most winning programs will fund all 11.7. If you cannot help a kid pay for the $40K per year program, and a state school gives him 25% so his cost is all of $15K, he will choose the state school every time.

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Don't rule it out solely because it's in the inner city. Sometimes, Philly Cheesesteaks are worth a little risk, huh?

If walking down North Broad isn't enough risk, try high cholesterol.

How about Monmouth on the Jersey shore?The school is in my back yard here and only about 1 hour from Phily and they are doing a great job baseball wise.

This has been a very good posting on Philadelphia schools-My son recently got a call from Villanova coach and being from Georgia we did not know much about the school. Currently he is looking at DIII Emory, but really wants to play DI if possible. Its sounds as if the academics are good and baseball good also. What about the coach and how many games are cancelled due to weather Is anyone familiar with the baseball atmosphere? Do the players really like playing for 'nova'?-I do see from their website that they do play some in Fla. Is Villanova a good choice "baseball wise" over Emory?

My son played for Coach Godri back in the mid 90's when he as the Asst Coach at New Mexico State---today Coach and I are still in touch regularly. He is one fine gentleman and a excellent baseball man

The baseball atmosphere at 'Nova is excellent and the facility, though not on campus, is excellent. Our travel team has played there a number of times in recent years.

My son got to play two middle school games on their field. The field is the property of the town. It's used in the summer for Junior Legion, Legion and a semipro team.

Are you saying it is not a good facility?

My son enjoyed playing on the field. He did comment there's too much foul territory. Yes, he fouled out on a ball that would have been twenty feet out of play at a typical high school field. The kids I know where it's their home Junior Legion field kind of take it for granted. By north of the Mason-Dixon Line standards it's a nice field. From a complex standpoint, there isn't a complex. The locker rooms, concession stand and bathrooms were never built. There have been rumors of a new complex near the campus from money provided by an alum. But, I've never heard anyone confirm it. However, the price of admission is great, $0.

Emory has a great baseball program consistantly top 10 and the academics are 2nd to none. Make sure you are looking at overall fit and what your realistic long term goals are. I attended Villanova and campus is located a good 30 min drive from Plymouth meeting where the home field is so not much student support. Have friends who have graduated and have had son's attend Emory and they really loved the experience and they are from Wall NJ.

It's about ten miles from the campus to the field. During rush hour it's an ugly ten miles. During rush hour it can take more than ten minutes to get from the field, down the street just to the entrance of I-476. The same goes for exiting at the Villanova exit. What makes it worse is there aren't facilities at the complex. Temple has facilities at the Ambler complex. Not that I want my kid attending Temple over Villanova or playing in the A10 over the Big East.

I live three, four miles from the field. My son and I watch games or parts of games when we have time. If a Friday game starts at 3pm, about what time do you think it ends? It can take forever just to get from Walton Road to the entrance to the Blue Route even though it's only one mile. Then the Blue Route is the only way around the city. It's a parking lot during rush hour, especially Friday's. It's not a criticism. It's just the way it is.

Having attended 50+ games on the mainline, I would strongly suggest parking away from campus, and using the R5 (regional rail) to leave area.

St.Joseph's is in the process of expanding their campus, and they are building an on campus baseball facility- may be ready for the spring 09 season. looking forward to seeing what it looks like- on campus will be a big benefit for their program.

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Originally posted by sef22:
St.Joseph's is in the process of expanding their campus, and they are building an on campus baseball facility- may be ready for the spring 09 season. looking forward to seeing what it looks like- on campus will be a big benefit for their program.

Episcopal Academy will be consolidating upper and lower schools in Devon. SJU's bought the EA campus.

I am from the Philadelphia area, having lived in Center City and its surrounding area (very near St. Joes). I have to disagree about the comments concerning the area around St. Joes ("Saint Josephs and LaSalle are in mediocre areas"). To be sure, St. Joes stradles City Line Avenue. North of City Line Avenue is Lower Merion Township, an extremely affluent and exclusive area. The Episcopal Academy campus (an exclusive "old Philadelphia school"), which St. Joes is buying, is located on the north side of City Line Avenue and is lovely. South of City Line Avenue is in the City of Philadelphia and just a tad dicey at night. For a big strapping athlete, however, it would be no big deal.

Furthermore, while a couple of decades ago St. Joes did not have much dormitory space and was known as a "commuter school," it has purchased a number of really nice apartment buildings in the area and is no longer considered as such. You should visit and see for yourself. While time consuming and exhausting for parents, this is the only way to see whether any school is a "fit."

" ....just a tad dicey at night. For a big strapping athlete, however, it would be no big deal."

Big, strapping athletes get killed confronting these situations. Big, strapping athletes can't punch out a gun or a knife. Dicey is dicey. There's no way for the person to know what they are dealing with. I would not wander around at night on or south of City Line Avenue.

What's it like near Swarthmore? We're going to visit later this fall.

RJM,

Can't disagree with your position about confrontation. Certainly a weapon would counter balance size and weight. But, as a small middle aged female who (maybe) once was strapping (but probably is no longer), I have no problem with jogging my byself in that neighborhood along City Line Avenue. Do I loiter by myself on corners south of City Line? No. But certainly I drive to take out restaurants south of City Line Avenue by myself and feel pretty safe in the process. I would say it is not too different from most urban areas -- be smart and you will be safe. St Joes has its own security group and provides busing through campus. There are lots of terrific kids who go to St. Joes, and I don't hear of too many problems.

DCBa, Swarthmore is not too far from St. Joes, but is decidedly different in feel. Swarthmore is a lovely town, with the characteristic "suburban Philadelphia" look and feel. It is a Quaker instituition, while St. Joes is Catholic. I would say that Swarthmore might have more of the academic elite feel, while St. Joes is more "salt of the earth." We know great kids at Swarthmore as well, including some on the team. I would feel comfortable sending my kids to either place. You should allow for 20-25 minute between St. Joes and Swarthmore. Take Route 1.

St Joes has announced a new baseball head coach--Fritz Hamburg. Coach Hamburg was Army's assistant head coach and pitching coach. In addition, he was named the assistant coach of the year last year. Coach Hamburg is an outstanding individual, very knowlegable, and is well respected by the Army players and his piers. Look for this program to improve.

He is a great addition for St Joes---I first met Coach Hamburg a few years back when he was an assisitant atNew Mexico State where my son played

Good luck Fritz

Did Hamburger work for Villanova's Coach Godri at New Mexico State?

blue cat

The name is HAMBURG

He work with Godri at New Mexico State --he worked under Coach Avent who is now at NC State


We have a number of AMRY dads on here whose kids played for Coach Hamburg at the Point---they can further attest to who and what he is