Conversations with College Coaches: Stevenson University
Baseball Factory is privileged to work with programs from every level of college baseball. We strive to educate and guide our players when it comes to choosing the right school. In our latest interview, Dan Mooney spoke with Head Coach Jason Tawney from Stevenson University. Checkout what Coach Tawney looks for in recruits, how video impacts his program and what he thinks about the facilities at Concord.
1. How long have you been coaching? How long at Stevenson University?
I've been the Head Coach at Stevenson for 11 seasons, and the assistant at Stevenson for the previous 3 years to that. So I've been coaching since 1999, and all of those years were spent at Stevenson University.
2. Who are some of your mentors or coaches that you look up to?
Many people I look up to are outside of the typical coaching realm of baseball. I really focus on what coaches do off the field/court with their players to keep them motivated and to turn them into good young men in society. So guys like Gary Williams, Coach K are people I have watched for a long time with very successful prominent programs that are ran appropriately, within the rules. From a baseball perspective, I tend to watch the Buck Showalter's, Davey Johnson's of the world. My real mentors come from my business dealings, again always using motivators, quotes and other avenues to broaden our players perspective of the world. If I read something or see something I like, be sure our players will hear about it soon!!
3. What is the first thing about your school and program that you'd want a recruit to know about?
The first thing is I tell every parent "our goal is help turn your son into a good, productive, young man in society." We accomplish that by making sure we do well in the classroom. Our team GPA this past fall was a 3.19. We have graduated 135 of the 138 guys who have EVER entered our program. Our guys are happy hear, in my 11 years, we have NEVER had a player transfer out to another 4 year school and play baseball. Even though only 10 play at a time, they all understand, starters start because they earned it, period. Nothing else. They also understand that opportunities will be given, however what you do with those opportunities is up to you and predicated on how much work you have put in and are you ready for that opportunity.
4. What qualities do you look for in a prospect on the field? Off the field?
On the Field: It really depends on what position, we like speed, we like guys who can hit, we like guys who throw hard, we like guys who throw strikes. I would say hard working guys who have not yet gotten the most out of their ability. At the D3 level, we aren't getting guys who are 88-91 polished, but we will get the 84-86 guy who will end up being that low 90's guy. D3 is all about DEVELOPMENT. Trust me when I say the level of play if very good and very strong, the better teams are guys who develop. What we really don't like are guys who throw equipment, have "temper tantrums" etc…It's immature and we don't have room for that personality in our clubhouse. Off the field: At Stevenson University, you need to take care of your academics, we like strong students. I have no problem suspending a player for grades. In fact, we have suspended our top pitchers twice in the past 4 years to get them back on track in the classroom. 99% of players careers will end after college, but 100% will get a job, I have to make sure you are getting the work done off the field, in the class room!
5. How has video helped your recruiting?
Approximately 1/2 of my players are out of state, NJ, PA, NY, DE, VA. So yeah video is a big help. It helps us in our evaluation process as many of these guys we just can't get out and see due to both College and HS seasons being played at the same time. Therefore video is a BIG help for us. We usually try to get out and see guys anyway, but video allows us to focus our time on players we know can help us.
6. Do you recruit from Junior Colleges?
Occasionally, it's very difficult for a Private University to recruit from Junior Colleges. I like getting those players, but usually they go the JUCO route because of 1 of 2 reasons. Either Academics aren't strong, or there are money issues. Unfortunately for us, if money is an issue, we are private and we are not the cheapest school in the world, and if your grades aren't good, then Stevenson isn't for you. Now there are guys that go for different reasons, and 2 of our top pitchers both came from the JUCO ranks, so we do recruit there for a guy or 2 each year, but it's definitely not as widespread as our Freshman recruiting.
7. Can you break down your fall practice schedule? What will you try to accomplish?
For Division III fall practice is broken down to 4 weeks of practice 4 days a week maximum. So we will utilize that time to it's fullest, especially on the weekends. The first 2 weeks of the fall is truly a "tryout" period, then week 3 we really focus on a line up as we are allowed to play 1 DH vs another JUCO or College/University and that game occurs at the end of week 3. Our goal is to be peaking for that DH to find out what we really have, specifically from our newcomers. Week 4 is preparing for and playing in our annual Mustang World Series where we have 3 teams that play a series against one another to see who has bragging right for the off season. Our coaches are assigned a team and our captains perform a draft, all done with specific rules of playing etc…Those 4 weeks go by quickly!!
8. Do you have a strength and conditioning coach?
We do have a strength and conditioning coach that works with our guys specifically through the fall, winter and spring. Everyone has a program specifically designed for them, their position and the goals we set forth. Not many programs have that available to them, and I think it really gives us an edge in our conference.
9. Anything planned for your facilities (upgrades, changes, etc.)?
We just renovated our facility a couple of years ago to include a Game Field, a Full Practice IF, 2 batting cages, soft toss hitting area, 5 bullpen mounds and added our new indoor hitting facility as well. There are some minor changes coming, but all in all our facility is more like a spring training complex with multiple fields for drills.
10. Is there anything you would like to add about your assistant coaches, recruits, parents, or program that we have not asked you about?
The only thing that comes to mind is for everyone to understand DIII. Most people don't realize that there are more DIII baseball programs (approx 425) then there are DI and DII combined. There are teams we play that have had 4 kids drafted in the same year and 8 over 2 years. There are also some teams that aren't so good. It is amazing to me how many guys want to play in college, but have NEVER watched a college baseball game except SEC/ACC World series on TV. I would highly recommend coming out to see us play or any quality DIII to realize and learn about the quality of baseball that is being played. I can't begin to tell you how many player I have had and continue to get that went to a DI, didn't enjoy their experience (whether it's playing time or other reasons) and transfer into our school. Remember you have 4 years to play college baseball, if you are sitting 2 of them, then 1/2 your career is over before you even begin. I will tell any recruit, GO WHERE YOU ARE WANTED!! If you are good enough the professional scouts will find you!!
If there are any questions that you'd like to see our staff ask in future installments of "Conversations with College Coaches" or any schools that you'd like to see featured, please contact us at [email protected].
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