University of San Francisco

Spent a great deal of time researching this program during the recruiting process, did a visit. Want the good news or the bad news first? ...

Bad news: like any private school, expensive. Even with a partial scholarship the bills can mount. Facilities are dated and as it is a built out urban campus so there is little room for improvement and neighbors to contend with.

Good news: Coaching staff is a A+ IMO. Top 2 for the schools we researched. Communicate with the players. A REAL family/team feel the minute you walk in the door. Would send my player there with great enthusiasm sure that they would treat him right and maximize his development. Get players drafted. Players who go there show great improvement. Talked to players who left other programs for USF and they mirrored my comments. Nice connection to the SF Giants. Very good academic programs. Had a great year last year and and should have made the NCAA regionals.

Question Marks: Do you want a more urban environment? Would heavily suggest a visit to get a feel. This is one of those campuses you either simply love or feel challenged by. Weather: Lots of Sunshine, year round play, but can be foggy and cool for CA.

Would agree to a degree with those thoughts. The USF Coaches are quality guys that take the "extra step" when talking to kids that most other schools don't. All the coaches seem to be on the same page dealing fairly and straight up with the kids. I'd trust them to do the right thing for my son. Heck, my son went to one of their games to met the visiting team's coach, the USF staff saw him and introduced him to the visiting coach in a very nice manner!!

I wouldn't worry much about their baseball field/facility as they have the requisit batting cages etc. the bases are 90 feet...... plus they only play half their games on the field Its a unique field but more importantly USF has good coaching and plays in a very compeitive league against quality competition. I've never heard anyone say a bad word about these guys.

I don't know if "lots of sunshine" describes the weather. Its in a good "sunny" weather location for SF but you won't mistake it for Arizona or Southern California.

USF is a small school. Make sure they offer the courses you want.

I have been talking with the USF coaches as they are looking at players from our program. They are straight up guys. I would no problem sending a player there.
As for the location, It is you love it or hate it. Lots to do and you can survive without a car. I had sister who live right down the street from the campus so I am very familiar with the area. We never drove anywhere.

http://www.sgvbaseball.com

A few additional thoughts:
USF just extended the contract for their head coach and the school, within the last 3-4 years has made a huge committment to upgrading all their sports. As a result, baseball is fully funded for the first time in a long time.
Observer is correct that their have been some issues with the facility/neighbors. Last Fall, due to neighbor complaints, they had to cease BP for awhile. Too many balls going over the fences into neighbors property.
Also, take a look at their program over the past 5 years and you will see a program seeming to improve most every year record wise, coaches who do a nice job of placing players in Summer Leagues, and a surprisingly significant number of players getting drafted. Their challenge will be to get over the Pepperdine, Loyola, USD's of the WCC but they are clearly closing the gap.

In Northern California, USF is gaining a solid reputation...mostly because of their coaches I believe. They should have made the NCAA tournament this year and I believe they will in the very near future. Beautiful urban campus in the best city in the world!

I am a player, and was incredibly impressed with the entire USF staff when I met them. A++++

JA100, good luck and hope things work out well for you. Wanted to let you know you are in friendly territory. Justbaseball has a terrifically talented son pitching at Stanford. O44 is from Monterey and has a son at UNLV.Mine went to Menlo and got lucky. He is now getting a chance to play professionally. If we can assist you with any questions, we would certainly be happy to try.

I know it's been said but I'm going to reenforce the quality coaching opinion for USF. I have talked to Coach Moore a few times and he is a quiality guy and someone who cares about his players improvement and health.

Just to add my 2 cents to this and the one in the showcase thread above. I can't say enough about the quality of the men running the USF program. My JC Player signed last week with these guys. They led us throught the process, were incredibly honest with details about the program and school. They approached my son as a student, not just a ballplayer. Explained to him how, if he is willing, can come out of this whole deal with an opportunity to play pro ball and a degree. Committed themselves and the schools resources to assisting him in the classroom, which he will need. at the same time discussed his future goals in baseball and were honest, some times brutally, with where they placed him in regards to his goals versus his talent and potential. Would recommend Coach G and Coach Morre to anyone looking for a quality program

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KJ...

Was thinking about you the last couple days....was hoping you'd find this thread, enjoy the positive feedback for the program and add to the discussion. Had you not showed up soon you'd have gotten a PM from me....

O44

Thanks, But I really mean it about USF. My son will have surgery Thursday, and these guys didn't even flinch. They knew before he signed. Kept their word to my son. Have encouraged him every step of the way Now he will have to work to get in shape, but he will.

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Sorry to hear that. Sometimes blessings come in strange packages. All the best for a speedy and complete recovery.

IMO...Only illustrates the quality of the program that they stayed comitted...

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As the parent of a recruited player, I can echo the praise regarding the USF program and, in particular, the USF coaches. Not only are they terrific baseball guys, they are terrific people who seem genuinely to care about the total welfare of their players. This is a program that is good and getting better. Best of luck to you.

Congratulations and welcome to the HSBBW board!

Can't comment on the baseball program, but as far as the school, it is on a hill located pretty much in the heart of San Francisco. Very pretty campus, but many facilities, especially the dorms are very old.

If it matters to you (good or bad) it is also a completely "dry" campus with a zero tolerance policy for violations and has dorm "quiet time" from 8pm to 8am.

It is a Jesuit run school with some religious study requirements.

Quality coaching staff from our experience.