Program Spotlight: Clarkson University


Head Coach Jim Kane of Clarkson University shared some tips for players in the recruiting process in this segment of our Program Spotlight. He offered some simple and actionable steps players can take to kickstart the recruiting process. The veteran coach leads the Golden Knights, an NCAA Division III school that competes in The Liberty League.

“Find a good academic fit. Reach out to coaches. Visit the school. Be proactive.”

– Coach Kane, Clarkson University
courtesy of clarksonathletics.com

Quick Facts

School:Clarkson University
Division:NCAA Division III
Conference:The Liberty League
Location:Potsdam, NY
Student Population:4,500
Website:clarksonathletics.com
Twitter:@CUKnighBaseball
Questionnaire:Recruit Form

Recruiting Q&A – with Head Coach Jim Kane

What are your typical scouting methods?

Showcase, summer ball, and recruiting services.

How do you recommend players contact you if they are interested in your program?

Email, text, and phone.

If a player contacts you, what are you most interested in?

Video is most helpful if you cannot see him in person perform.

Any general advice for players that want to play college baseball?

Find a good academic fit. Reach out to coaches. Visit the school. Be proactive..

>> Read more: Recruiting Q&As from college coaches <<


Program Overview – Golden Knights Baseball

The Clarkson University Golden Knights are led by veteran Head Coach, Jim Kane. Coach Kane has amassed over ten 20-win seasons in his tenure while garnering the conference’s Coach of the Year award four times. The Golden Knights have also reached the conference tournament almost every year under Coach Kane, and have reached the conference championship eight times.

The Golden Knights compete in the Liberty League and are frequently top competitors in the conference. In 2019, the Golden Knights compiled an impressive 15-7 conference record and a 23-17 overall record. The Liberty League currently features a two-division format and the competing teams are all located in the state of New York.

Clarkson University’s baseball program plays its home games at Jack Phillips Stadium at Snell Field. Named after World Series Champion, New York Yankee, and proud alum, Jack Phillips. The stadium features a beautiful grandstand behind home plate and enclosed dugouts down each foul line. The grandstand gives the park a unique and retro feel and a cool feature on campus.

The Golden Knights also have access to a premier fitness center with an indoor track, olympic weights, and everything they need to train as student-athletes.

School Overview – Clarkson University

Clarkson University’s main campus is located in Potsdam, NY. There are over 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students with a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. The University offers more than 95 programs of study in engineering, business, education, science, liberal arts, and health.

Clarkson University is a national research university that has developed a reputation for producing the leaders of tomorrow. The graduate success metrics are some of Clarkson’s most impressive facts and the school is nationally ranked in many publications across different categories. Clarkson University prides itself on the impact of its graduates, as they often go on to have successful careers in leadership, executive, and entrepreneurial positions.

Potsdam is located in upstate New York and is about 100 miles southwest of Montreal, QC. Potsdam is a picturesque city as the Raquette River flows right through the center of the town. Potsdam is also close to the Adirondack Mountains, a great outlet for students looking for outdoor activity.

Students that are interested in learning more about Clarkson University’s academic programs, admission requirements, and academic aid, are invited to visit clarkson.edu to find more information.

Closing Remarks

We would like to thank Coach Kane for taking the time to share his answers to the recruiting Q&A and to provide players with some advice for navigating the recruiting process. One of the most common themes in our Program Spotlight segments is the emphasis on “finding the right fit.” Coaches at all levels, including Coach Kane, made the point that players should focus on finding the right fit.

Another piece of advice from Coach Kane that ties in closely with finding the right fit is his recommendation to visit schools. It is difficult for high school players to understand and picture what student life will look like. Traveling to schools of interest is the best way to do this. It doesn’t even have to be an official visit, but being on campus, and seeing the surrounding city is the best way to get a feel for it all.

It can be common for players to think they might prefer a small college or large university, but after stepping foot on campus, they realize it’s not what they had imagined. While online resources are great, nothing replaces actually experiencing the campus in person.

Aside from the campus, visiting a school can also help a player determine if they believe the baseball program would be a good fit for them. Facilities, playing fields, weight rooms, and study rooms are places student-athletes will be spending the majority of their time throughout the college experience. It makes sense to see these in person before committing to a specific school.

Lastly, Coach Kane said something that is very important; be proactive. The college recruiting process is not an easier one, and the way players can help themselves out the most is by being proactive. Spending time researching schools, and reaching out to coaches is going to help tremendously. College coaches are busy with their own teams, and recruiting is just aspect of their job. The best way for players to ensure they are on a coach’s radar is to reach out themselves. College coaches are also always going to be most interested in the players that have made it clear they want to come to their school and be apart of the program.

Players that are interested in learning more about the Clarkson University baseball program are encouraged to contact Coach Kane using any of his recommended methods. Again, thank you to Coach Kane, and we wish the Golden Knights the best of luck in their upcoming season!

Kevin Zak

Former independent professional player and DII All-American. 10+ years of coaching experience at the high school level. Passionate about the mental aspects of the game and diving deep into the technical side of swing mechanics.

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