Assistant Coach Ethan Newton of Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) offered up some valuable advice for players entering the recruiting process and what type of players he looks to recruit at FDU.
The Knights are an NCAA Division I school that competes in the Northeast Conference. The Knights are recently coming off of a 4th place finish in the conference after posting a 16-11 conference record.
“Be honest with yourself about what you want and where you’re currently at.”
– Coach Newton, FDU
Quick Facts
| School: | Fairleigh Dickinson University |
| Division: | NCAA Division I |
| Conference: | Northeast Conference |
| Location: | Teaneck, NJ |
| Student Population: | 10,500 |
| Website: | fduknights.com |
| Twitter: | @FDUKnightsBase |
| Questionnaire: | Recruit Form |
Recruiting Q&A – with Assistant Coach Ethan Newton
What are your typical scouting methods?
Institutional camps (team & prospect), summer ball, video.
How do you recommend players contact you if they are interested in your program?
Email and fill out a questionnaire.
If a player contacts you, what are you most interested in?
Video & game schedule (high school and travel).
Any general advice for players that want to play college baseball?
Be honest with yourself about what you want and where you’re currently at. This will help you lay out a plan to achieve your goals and make adjustments to the timeline of your goals as you go if need be.
Any other comments about your program that you’d like to share?
We believe each of our players is at FDU for a reason. Again, having a profound level of honesty with yourself will allow you to maximize your individual development and help us achieve the goals we have as a team.
>> Read more: Recruiting Q&As from college coaches <<
Program Overview – Knights Baseball
Head Coach Manny Roman took over the FDU program in 2022, has an extensive coaching background. Before joining the coaching staff at FDU, Coach Roman spent four seasons as the recruiting coordinator and pitching coach for Monroe, where he played a role in four regional championships and two NJCAA Baseball World Series appearances.
Under Roman’s tutelage, FDU’s pitchers broke the single-season strikeout record and improved in nearly all statistical categories in 2022. The Knights finished the 2022 season in 4th place in the Northeast Conference with an impressive conference record, and are continuing to build under Coach Roman heading into the 2023 season.
The Knights host several camps throughout the year which can be a great opportunity for players to showcase their skills to the coaching staff. For the most up-to-date camp info, please visit the program’s website here.
School Overview – FDU
Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) is a private university located in New Jersey, United States. The university was founded in 1942 and named after its co-founder, Fairleigh S. Dickinson. FDU has two main campuses in New Jersey, one in Madison and one in Teaneck, as well as a campus in Vancouver, Canada.
Academics: FDU offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, arts and sciences, nursing, education, and more. The university has four colleges: Becton College of Arts and Sciences, Silberman College of Business, Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies, and University College.
Rankings and Recognition: FDU has been consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States by various publications. According to the U.S. News & World Report, FDU is ranked #69 in Regional Universities North and #38 in Best Value Schools. The university is also ranked #24 in Best Colleges for Veterans and #30 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. Forbes has ranked FDU #590 in its America’s Top Colleges list.
Campus Life: FDU has a vibrant campus life with various student organizations, clubs, and events. The university has over 100 student-run clubs and organizations, ranging from academic and professional to cultural and social. The Office of Campus Life also hosts various events throughout the year, such as concerts, comedy shows, cultural festivals, and more. The university also has a Division I sports program and offers various intramural and club sports.
International Programs: FDU has a strong commitment to international education and offers various international programs to its students. The university has a campus in Vancouver, Canada, which offers degree programs in various fields. FDU also has partnerships with universities around the world, including China, France, Germany, and more, and offers study abroad programs to its students. The university also hosts international students on its campuses and has various programs to support their transition to American college life.
Research and Innovation: FDU is committed to research and innovation and has various centers and institutes that conduct research in various fields. The university has a Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, a Center for Global Health Studies, a PublicMind Polling Institute, and more. FDU also has a Small Business Development Center, which provides assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the region.
Community Engagement: FDU has a strong commitment to community engagement and social responsibility. The university has various programs and initiatives that support the local community, including volunteer work, community service, and partnerships with local organizations. FDU also hosts various events and conferences that address social issues and promote social justice.
Students who are interested in learning more about the area, academic programs, admission requirements, and student life at FDU are invited to visit fdu.edu for more information.
Closing Remarks
We would like to extend a thank you to Coach Newman for sharing his answers to our Recruiting Q&A. In several articles we’ve written, we’ve also preached the principle of honesty and reflection when it comes to players evaluating themselves. We completely agree with Coach Newman’s advice of learning this skill set to put together a plan and achieve both team and personal goals.
Self-reflection is a big part of a player’s development on the field and also throughout the recruiting process. Accurately accessing their current abilities, will allow players to put together a plan accordingly. Failure to do so can lead to missed opportunities in the recruiting process or even within a player’s team.
The team-first mentality Coach Newman shared is something we really appreciate. With players adopting this mindset, we’re excited to see the future success of FDU, and wish the Knights the best of luck in their upcoming season!
