I've seen the campus, it's beautiful. It looks like a good match academically. What can you guys tell me about the program/coach etc?
Thx, GG3
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Not trying to be a wiseguy---BUT PLEASE go to their website and read about what is happening---Coach Atkins is retiring next year
I have known Coach McQueen for a number of years--they will be fine thru the transition
I have known Coach McQueen for a number of years--they will be fine thru the transition
My friend is going there. He will probably start in center and close for them.
Something you should definitely know about UR is that, a year or two ago, they made a decision to abandon a tradition of trying to be an affordable private u., in favor of trying to charge as much as they could and trying to become "an elite institution".
I don't know if they mean that in the sense of being academically elite, or just catering to elites, but the annual costs there are now well north of 40k/year. So, even if you get some baseball money, you're going to have to dig deep to go there.
The school has also transitioned from one that historically catered primarily to Virginians, to being one that recruits students heavily from the northeast. I think 85% of the student body is from outside VA at this point. This is also reflected on the baseball team.
They have had a strong program over the years and have placed some players in MLB, including Brian Jordan, Sean Casey, and Tim Stauffer. Still more are in the minors now, hoping to get there. (I think Vito Chiaravalloti had a stellar debut in the Penn League but last I saw was having a little more difficulty after moving up a level.)
UR moved out of the CAA a few years back and joined the A-10. So, more of their games involve traveling north these days than in years past. But that sort of caters to the school's target audience these days.
It is a beautiful campus, and I think the degree is well respected -- although they seem to have a chip on their shoulder about maybe not being thought of in the same breath with, say, Duke. But the environment is very Duke-like, with D-I sports programs despite not having that large of a student body.
The hiring of McQueen has to be seen as a major coup. I just hope he can keep up his recruiting in the face of the high price of going there. I have wondered whether that will push some of their targeted recruits away, to places like William & Mary. Only time will tell.
I don't know if they mean that in the sense of being academically elite, or just catering to elites, but the annual costs there are now well north of 40k/year. So, even if you get some baseball money, you're going to have to dig deep to go there.
The school has also transitioned from one that historically catered primarily to Virginians, to being one that recruits students heavily from the northeast. I think 85% of the student body is from outside VA at this point. This is also reflected on the baseball team.
They have had a strong program over the years and have placed some players in MLB, including Brian Jordan, Sean Casey, and Tim Stauffer. Still more are in the minors now, hoping to get there. (I think Vito Chiaravalloti had a stellar debut in the Penn League but last I saw was having a little more difficulty after moving up a level.)
UR moved out of the CAA a few years back and joined the A-10. So, more of their games involve traveling north these days than in years past. But that sort of caters to the school's target audience these days.
It is a beautiful campus, and I think the degree is well respected -- although they seem to have a chip on their shoulder about maybe not being thought of in the same breath with, say, Duke. But the environment is very Duke-like, with D-I sports programs despite not having that large of a student body.
The hiring of McQueen has to be seen as a major coup. I just hope he can keep up his recruiting in the face of the high price of going there. I have wondered whether that will push some of their targeted recruits away, to places like William & Mary. Only time will tell.
Midlo KNOWS Virginia schools!!!! 
Who in the world would go there???
quote:Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
I have wondered whether that will push some of their targeted recruits away, to places like William & Mary.
Who in the world would go there???
Perhaps for a solid education !!!!
Watch it, Beezer! That's the "Alma Mater of a Nation" you're talking about! Also the alma mater of some guys like Washington, Jefferson, and a few more you may have heard of. Also Glenn Close, Jon Stewart (contemporary of mine in fact, though his name was Leibowitz back then), and more importantly, MLB talent like Bill Bray, Chris Ray, and Curtis Pride.
And # 1 son is class of 2010, thank you very much!
And # 1 son is class of 2010, thank you very much!
You saw the smiley, right???? 
Yes, knew you were joking. But you gave me an opportunity to brag, so I took it!
Hey I've got to be nice so that in 4 years, you can pull some strings for me.
Don't get your hopes up. What few I had were pulled last winter on my own son's behalf!
Maybe "hand holding" is a better way to look at it?
I heard they have a new assistant coach. Ryan Wheeler.
