Good. No problem, I jumped on that point. Glad to hear otherwise.
Dad ... It's not that every kid playing college ball was a 4.0 in high school. As mentioned college baseball is very time consuming. If the grades and test scores are low a coach will be concerned the GPA could drop by a point in college. I've seen it happen to several kids I know. If a kid has a 3.0+ in high school the coach sees his potential college downside as 2.0+. If your son threw 95 the risk (acceptance) would be worth the potential reward.
While talking to the person that handles the kids needing toutoring,extra help, whatever concerning keeping up with school work at both 2016 visits.Both told me the same thing.ON AVERAGE. the typical kid drops 1/2 point in grade point average especially in season.
Higher velo = lower GPA & test scores
Lower velo = higher GPA & test scores
Dad2016,
Agree with the wisdom given so far & will add a couple points:
A good "Fit" needs to include academic support/tutoring, which he will need to initiate & keep up with.
Your son needs to realize that keeping his grades up AND playing ball is like having 2 FULL TIME Jobs. Between practices 5 days a week & workouts at 5:30 AM = abt 40 hrs. Then a typical 15 hr course load + study time (+ tutoring, if needed) = another 40 hrs a week.
Make sure he understands & schedules all the syllabus criteria.
If he makes the travel team, will an academic tutor accompany the team to administer tests if they're playing out of town? Or does he need to take tests/turn in papers prior to team trips, etc.
Juco's may not offer the same level of support that other levels offer, but it is a very good way for him to get basics out of the way & mature.
Good Luck & keep reading, asking questions. We've all been in your shoes & willing to help you navigate the "mine fields"!
As this seems to have evolved into an academic thread to a certain degree, I thought I'd chime in and ask a question of those that have gone through this.
The academic side of the college decison is a concern for me, as well for my 2016 son who has to make a choice soon. He scored 1,800 on his SATs and all grades at HS are in low 90's except one that was high 80's. They were not AP courses though, and he had to work hard to achieve them. One of the top schools he is interested in, and who has made an offer, has a rigorous academic program, which I'm not sure he would get into without baseball helping a bit, and I'm concerned about his overall college experience if the academic support provided by the school and understanding are not there.
How can one be certain that the academic support provided by the school is as strong as the RC states? I would think it would be hard for a kid to perform well on the field if they are struggling in the classroom.
Thanks.
I wouldn't necessarily take the RCs word for it. Most will say what they have to to get you in the door if they really want you. My son doesn't go to a high academic school, but his RC stated that they monitored academics and provided assistance. Turns out they really don't. It was all on my son. I would see if you and/or your son could talk to current or former players and parents. They will give you a more accurate read on what actually happens once the players get there.
Originally Posted by bballman:
I wouldn't necessarily take the RCs word for it. Most will say what they have to to get you in the door if they really want you. My son doesn't go to a high academic school, but his RC stated that they monitored academics and provided assistance. Turns out they really don't. It was all on my son. I would see if you and/or your son could talk to current or former players and parents. They will give you a more accurate read on what actually happens once the players get there.
Agreed. When my son and I were visiting the D2 he eventually committed to after JuCo, the coach made a point of saying he monitors their academic progress and pointed out the new building where the tutors were available if needed. In reality, the student is on his own to seek assistance if he has trouble in the classroom. Coach was too busy with his own students (this one taught as well as coached) and with the team as the season progressed.
A couple of things on the internet that you can do while sitting at the computer. Go to NCAA.org and look up the Graduation Success Rate for the last five years or so. Also, get online and look up the rosters from each of the past 5 years or so. If available, look at the claimed majors, if they are all kinesiology, then it might not be a strong academic support program. It is a great sign if there are science, math, engineering majors mixed in there. One very important thing to look at also is look at a group of freshmen that report to the school and check the roster until they get to their senior year. If they are studs they may get drafted after their junior year. How many kids make it through their senior year? If there are a good amount of kids not finishing their career there, this is a huge red flag.
Academic support may be provided by the school, BUT, clearly understand, it is 100% on the student athlete to avail himself and to take whatever steps are necessary to keep those grades at a point of acceptability to be part of the team!
I'll be very blunt:
Consider it a "meat market" & your son is a commodity that the Coach needs for WINS! It is NOT the Coaches job or responsibility to coddle, babysit, make him "feel" extra special, counsel, etc! He is part of a team, & believe me, there will be several "waiting in the wings". If your son performs (to Coach's standard & team needs) in the classroom AND on the field, then he'll get an "atta Boy!". Otherwise, it's "thanks, but no Cigar!", so to speak.
Son had 3 roommates all thru college & they had each other's backs! They had a few of the same courses/classes & were their own "study group", then formed/joined other study buddy systems for certain courses. I strongly suggest anyone who needs a little extra help in the classroom, develop a study buddy schedule.
*son has been in all their wedding, too...hahaha! I'm starting to think "always a groomsman/best man, never to be the Groom!".
Great thread..... I have had two go the JUCO route both are/will transfer to D1. I agree the best juco's will have a couple at 90+
Midwest Juco's .... try John A. Logan......Southeastern Illinois , Rend Lake, Wabash Valley
also, heartland
Thank you for your responses. I've shared them with my wife and they've been helpful.
Thanks to all that replied it has given me the well of information we needed to make decisions regarding a lot of things. Its been great! I feel like I just got the upper hand on things with what was discussed and given for information in here. You guys rock! I let my son read what you guys wrote and I think it really helped him as well. He is more in line. Hey great news...he hit 87 today...he has been doing quick twitch lifting with the football team and after 3 weeks...it seems its starting to pay off. First time he has ever hit 87. College recruiter was there and did the gunning...so its not pops doing it 
Kind of pumped but he has a lot of work to do this fall and I am sure he is up to the task! Again thanks for the help!
Don't overthink this process. Based on your son's frame and what you are telling us about his stuff, he has potential. Let that play out. If a D1 coach sees that and wants to offer, then great. If not, JUCO is a great route and he will have even more time to improve. In the meantime, he should be focusing on getting that 2.8 to a 3.0 (yes, it matters), working hard on the field and in the weight room, and taking care of his arm/body.
The reality is, mid 80s (assuming he is a RHP) is 99 percent of the time not going to get a lot of attention from D1s, unless he has plus command and plus movement on his fastball, a plus secondary pitch that will get hitters out and probably a third quality offering. It could happen, but if it doesn't happen, I wouldn't say anything crazy is going on.
But, he still has this fall and next spring, so plenty of time left. I'd invest in some quality instruction that helps him better utilize his lower half (as said by that coach). Don't wait for a college to do it when you can do it now. In the meantime, if he is not reaching out to colleges the old fashioned way, I would be starting that process now, rather than just waiting for them to discover him.
Back to the academic thing. When I was in college it was entirely upon the athlete to seek out academic help if they needed it. During the recruiting process the coach preached about how much help they have for the athletes. The reality is, its there but the student/athlete needs to seek it out. If you do they will help you, but if you don't no one is going to find you to straighten things out for you.