Need some +/- on this schoolsbaseball program. Thanks in advance.

Coach Schmitz is a nice enough coach,and fairly softspoken. The program I believe is on the soft side. The recruiting has in my opinion been weak. Up until this last fall, very little interest was shown north of Champaign. They finally got up as far as Joliet, but do not seem to come ****her north. Many of the prized recruits brought in 2-3 years ago either dropped out, or flunked out. Very poor background checks, and many of the signed recruits come from very small towns in presumably weak conferences.

Also brings on a handful of walk ons, but they drop after a year or so. He doesn't go very deep into the bench, so for carrying 25-30 players, outside of the starters, not much playing time. Also has a high turnover of assistants. I like the school a lot, but
the baseball is iffy. Read his press releases for the last year or so on his signings. Not very good stats, and the releases are almost apologetic, in that "although his numbers weren't that good, we think that he can be a real .........." If a kid plays for a small downstate team, and his numbers aren't that good, how would the kid stack up against a SICA,
or WEst Suburban or Mid suburban League kid?

My son played there a few years ago, and it was not a fun experience. Too much partying by the team, and not enough of the books for a good portion of the team. He does have some upperclass talent, but in a tough conference, I don't envision a top finish. My son's high school, and JC coaches will not try to push kids in that direction (of EIU).

Hey F.B. Thanks 4 the input. Much appreciated. Any other opinions ?

Agree with foulball.

Made a splash a couple of years ago and that has been it. Head coach has been there a while.

Lately, it seems most of the better players in Chicagoland go to ISU or NIU.

School has been known as a teachers college with a decidedly greater number of girls than guys.

Have had a fall-off in basketball, too.

After the women to men ratio, i can't think of a thing about eastern i like. of dozens schools i have visited, only nicholls state has a crummier campus. nicholls state however has an outstanding d1 program. nicholls is in thibadeaux la.