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Sophomore year is ending and we're currently compiling a list of schools (D1, D2 and JUCO) to start contacting. Don't know much about JUCOs in Texas. We're looking preferably for Div. 1 JUCO's with good baseball programs and good facilities (have heard that some facilities are the absolute pits). Would also be interested in knowing which 4-year baseball programs various JUCOs feed into. Thanks in advance for your help!
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www.njcaa.org for both regions in Tex & all divisions. Check the schools in Big 12 conf, Conf USA, etc, too & you will find which JUCO's transfers are where.
Some big name JUCO's
San Jacinto, excellent program, They have strong connections to A&M & Texas, U of H, Baylor, SHSU, SFA, TT
Navarro, same as above
Weatherford great new facilities. mixed

Angelina...is good even though the facilities are older
Paris
Brookhaven
Would recommend Midland College for both facilities and support of the school. Play on a retired minor league field, dorms are nice and the school counselor and athletic activities director are both wonderful. The counselor treats the students like they are all her children and makes sure they are on track.

Another plus is the school draws students from all over the world so the "local" kids are exposed to some nice diversity of backgrounds and experiences. This year when introducing the athletes at the opening banquet, the kids came from South Africa, Australia, England, Canada, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico....

Don't know who the new head baseball coach will be next year though so the direction of the program will be a mystery til the position is filled.
Thanks so much for the info. I knew I could get a list of JUCOs, but it helps to have specific recommendations. We'll start contacting ones that are a good "fit." A senior on my son's team is most likely headed to Midland JUCO next year. His parents have so many positive things to say about the program -- awesome facility, friendly down-home environment, etc. They just hope that the interim coach will be declared head coach next year.
Here are the final standings for the other JUCO Region in Texas.

Final Region XIV Conference Standings

Eastern Zone

Navarro 22-6 (Ranked #9)
Paris 20-8
Texarkana 19-9
Panola 14-14
Angelina 11-17
Bossier 11-17
Northeast Texas 10-18
Lon Morris 5-23

Southern Zone

Alvin 26-10
San Jacinto 23-13
Blinn 21-13
Laredo CC 18-18
Galveston 15-21
Wharton 11-23
UT Brownsville 10-26

The first 4 teams listed in each zone will play in the Region XIV playoffs May 13-17 in Mt. Pleasant.

BTW, Region V New Mexico JC is ranked #1 and Midland is ranked #12.
Yes, Eastfield competes favorably with the top D1 JUCO programs in Texas. DIII Richland also has a very strong program and Cedar Valley has had success in recent years. Brookhaven is also DIII and can offer excellent baseball opportunities. These schools have excellent histories (CVC is relatively new to the JUCO scene). Some feel that the DIII's play at a lower level because there is no athletic scholarship money, but the class fees are low and a kid can get early playing time. Also, the Eastfield, Richland, and Brookhaven coaches have NCAA contacts at all levels.
Something I have not seen addressed, which is really more important than how the school "ranks" in baseball, is how the kids get treated from the beginning. Scholarship money is nice, but at the JUCO's it is not always what you think it is. I'm sure there is someone out there with more experience than I at the D1 and D2 level.

Real Life Experience Speaking Here:

80+ freshman brought in on 40% scholarship.
(Numbers not disclosed when recruited)
3 or 4 players to a dorm room
(Rooms built for 2 players, 6 to 8 players share 1 bathroom in duplex style dorm room)
Out of Dorm accommodations not allowed
Meal Plan at $975 per semester REQUIRED.
REQUIRED weight lifting during morning cafeteria hours.
Practice until after evening cafeteria hours.
Over 100 players (20 returners) competing for 20+ spots.
"juicing" rampant, and unchecked.
MANDATORY $200 "fund raiser" per player
Uniforms (t-shirts) and Hats available for purchase. (not supplied)

And then the fun began....

Practice consists mostly of "conditioning"
(Sprints, poles, scoreboards for 3 to 4 hours, every day)
Losses in fall games result in additional "conditioning" after games, at night, after long bus ride back to campus.

Basic desire after 2 weeks was to 'encourage' players to quit. Too late to drop classes, no refunds after 2 weeks.

Now, you may say this is sour grapes, this is the parent of a kid who was not very good, and their baby did not get a chance, and they are just bitter. I might even agree with you, if it were not for the fact that there are many parents who will stand up, and give me an "amen" on the scenario.

My most helpful suggestion, is to ask the coach for phone numbers of this year's freshman parents. Call them, and ask them what the impression they have of the program is, and if they would let their son go through it all again.

We wish we had done that. Interestingly enough, the most often heard comment from the parents we talked to during the freshman fall, was "I hope your son has a better time of it than ours did, when he was there."

There IS life after such an experience, same son walked on at another JUCO, for spring semester, made the team, and still has the desire to play.

It is sad to say, many of those 80+ are no longer playing, deciding that is the way it is everywhere. However, it is not that way everywhere, but it is that way in some places.

Do your homework, research your options, and talk to exiting players. Talk to players that left, if you can find them.

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