Anything about the Spiders?
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Asst. Coach Ryan Wheeler is a great guy, good coach, and a class act. Beautiful campus, great school academically. Definitely worth considering!
HC McQueen was NCAA pitching coach of the year back in 06 with VCU. He's got at least three of his former players pitching in the pros currently.
In 07 when they were recruiting Junior, Richmond was the second most expensive school in the country according to USN&WR. It is a gorgeous campus, nice baseball facility.
Lots of Beemers, Lexus', etc in the parking lots there. It is a unique culture, not for everyone. That being said, Richmond came in very high on Juniors list of also rans. All the players seemed very nice and I wouldn't have any reservations about my son playing for either McQueen or Wheeler. The players really seem to connect with them.
In 07 when they were recruiting Junior, Richmond was the second most expensive school in the country according to USN&WR. It is a gorgeous campus, nice baseball facility.
Lots of Beemers, Lexus', etc in the parking lots there. It is a unique culture, not for everyone. That being said, Richmond came in very high on Juniors list of also rans. All the players seemed very nice and I wouldn't have any reservations about my son playing for either McQueen or Wheeler. The players really seem to connect with them.
As has been said, the campus is really beautiful. You'd think it would be a city school, but it is a tree covered, lake in the middle campus, removed from Richmond.Son went to camp there, and has played showcase games there as well. He was impressed with the campus, facilities, and the coaching staff.
The school is within the city limits, but would certainly not be considered urban (make the short drive to VCU for a sharp contrast in settings). The school is in the section of the city/metro area that is considered (by me, at least) to be the old money area of the city. Tons of huge, stately homes....when I used to deliver furniture for a high end company, we spent a lot of time in this area. As others have said, UR is an extremely expensive school, and it definitely attracts a lot of its students from well to do backgrounds. That doesn't mean its inaccessible to anyone, but I just wanted to give you an idea of what to expect.
As far as baseball, the first thing I noticed was the very unique makeup of their roster. Their current 2009 roster only shows five Virginia kids (three from the Richmond area). This seems pretty unique to me, but it may be true of many private schools. In addition, they have traditionally had a lot of kids from the northeast part of the country (15 kids from MD, PA, NJ, NY, RI). They have to cast a wide net to find kids that can make the grade (very competitive) and afford the school.
I've heard both McQueen and Wheeler speak, and I think a lot of them (w/o knowing them personally). I've never heard a bad word about either, and both strike me as teacher's of the game. I really like their field, if only for the lack of any chain link.
As far as baseball, the first thing I noticed was the very unique makeup of their roster. Their current 2009 roster only shows five Virginia kids (three from the Richmond area). This seems pretty unique to me, but it may be true of many private schools. In addition, they have traditionally had a lot of kids from the northeast part of the country (15 kids from MD, PA, NJ, NY, RI). They have to cast a wide net to find kids that can make the grade (very competitive) and afford the school.
I've heard both McQueen and Wheeler speak, and I think a lot of them (w/o knowing them personally). I've never heard a bad word about either, and both strike me as teacher's of the game. I really like their field, if only for the lack of any chain link.
The great thing about that field is that admission is free. The setting is classic.
Without repeating, but to add to the above:
UR generally made a move a few years ago to hike costs through the roof and go after rich northeasterners for the bulk of the student body. I think only 10-15% are even from VA any more.
Their move from the CAA to the A-10 for baseball was not one I favored, as it takes them away from their former natural rivals. (They still play a lot of them in midweek games, but the conference rivalries are gone.) But the A-10 puts them in competition with teams based in the areas from which they now recruit students. Maybe that was a factor in their decision? It does leave them playing a lot of games in colder, more northern climes.
They have, since McQueen came in, landed a couple of pretty stud Richmond-area guys, including Monacan's Evan Stehle and Midlothian's Ryan Mallory, who I believe will both be starting (C and 1B, respectively) this year. I think most would tell you that both are pro draft prospects.
Generally speaking it is a program that has put players into the pros (up to and including MLB, players including Sean Casey, Brian Jordan, and Tim Stauffer). They are typically competitive. The coaching is first rate both in terms of their baseball savvy and their reputations as the right kinds of guys.
Without repeating, but to add to the above:
UR generally made a move a few years ago to hike costs through the roof and go after rich northeasterners for the bulk of the student body. I think only 10-15% are even from VA any more.
Their move from the CAA to the A-10 for baseball was not one I favored, as it takes them away from their former natural rivals. (They still play a lot of them in midweek games, but the conference rivalries are gone.) But the A-10 puts them in competition with teams based in the areas from which they now recruit students. Maybe that was a factor in their decision? It does leave them playing a lot of games in colder, more northern climes.
They have, since McQueen came in, landed a couple of pretty stud Richmond-area guys, including Monacan's Evan Stehle and Midlothian's Ryan Mallory, who I believe will both be starting (C and 1B, respectively) this year. I think most would tell you that both are pro draft prospects.
Generally speaking it is a program that has put players into the pros (up to and including MLB, players including Sean Casey, Brian Jordan, and Tim Stauffer). They are typically competitive. The coaching is first rate both in terms of their baseball savvy and their reputations as the right kinds of guys.
