Head Coach Paul Svagdis of Tufts College shares some insights into his recruiting process in the latest Program Spotlight.
The Jumbos are an NCAA Division III school that competes in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. The Jumbos are a highly competitive program, that competes each season for a conference championship.
“Play in events.”
– Coach Svagdis, Tufts College
Quick Facts
| School: | Tufts College |
| Division: | NCAA Division III |
| Conference: | New England Small College Athletic Conference |
| Location: | Medford, MA |
| Student Population: | 6,500 |
| Website: | gotuftsjumbo.com |
| Twitter: | @TuftsBaseball |
| Questionnaire: | Recruit Form |
Recruiting Q&A – with Head Coach Paul Svagdis
What are your typical scouting methods?
Travel ball, showcases, tournament events.
How do you recommend players contact you if they are interested in your program?
Email.
If a player contacts you, what are you most interested in?
Video and transcript.
Any general advice for players that want to play college baseball?
Play in events.
>> Read more: Recruiting Q&As from college coaches <<
Program Overview – Jumbo Baseball
Head Coach Paul Svagdis, a Tufts alum, will took over the Jumbo baseball program in 2022. Coach Svagdis played first base for the Jumbos from 1990 to 1993, earning two-year captain honors, and will now replace the retired Casey, who led the team to 765 wins and 10 regional and conference titles.
Coach Svagdis brings extensive coaching experience to Tufts, having been head baseball coach at Azusa Pacific University for the past 20 years. During his tenure, he led the Cougars to 606 wins and produced 16 All-Americans, 14 Academic All-Americans, and eight conference Players of the Year. His 2007 team set program records with 51 wins overall and 33 wins in the Golden State Athletic Conference. After Azusa Pacific moved from NAIA to NCAA Division II, Coach Svagdis led the Cougars to three straight 40-plus win seasons from 2017 to 2019.
Throughout his 25-year head coaching career, Svagdis has a record of 718-429 for a .625 career win percentage. His teams have won eight regular-season conference titles, and he has earned seven Conference Coach of the Year awards. He has guided his teams to six NCAA Regionals and five NAIA Regionals, including the 2007 and 2008 teams that advanced to the NAIA World Series. Svagdis has coached over 35 players who have been drafted by Major League Baseball teams, including two-time All-Star Stephen Vogt.
Huskins Field, located on Tufts University campus, serves as the home field for the Tufts University baseball team, six-time NESCAC champion. The field was designated as the official baseball field in 1990 following a generous contribution by Walter E. Huskins Jr., a Tufts alumnus from the class of 1963.
The field’s distinctive location lies just east of the Boston and Lowell railway tracks, and it offers a unique game experience with frequent commuter trains passing by beyond the right-field fence. The field’s design includes a natural surface, a spacious foul territory down the third base and left field line, and deep fences to left and center fields. The right-field, on the other hand, narrows down to a short fence with a tight foul line adjoining the parking lot. The home and visitor bullpens are situated near each dugout, with two batting cages positioned along the right-field line.
The Jumbos 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 – Tufts College
Tufts University is a prestigious private research university located in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts. Founded in 1852, Tufts is known for its distinguished academic programs, world-renowned faculty, and strong commitment to social justice and active citizenship. The university is consistently ranked among the top 30 national universities in the United States and has a student body of approximately 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and over 80 countries.
Tufts offers over 90 undergraduate majors across its four undergraduate schools: the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts, and the School of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Additionally, Tufts offers graduate programs in fields such as medicine, law, business, engineering, and international relations. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, allowing for small class sizes and individualized attention from faculty members.
Tufts is known for its strong interdisciplinary programs, including the Environmental Studies Program, which is one of the oldest and most respected programs of its kind in the United States. The university also has a unique partnership with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts, which allows students to pursue both a liberal arts education and a studio art education simultaneously.
Tufts is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. The university has a number of initiatives and programs aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion, including the Center for Race and Democracy, the LGBT Center, and the Office of Campus Life. Tufts also offers a number of resources and support services for students, including academic support, career services, and counseling and mental health services.
In addition to its academic programs, Tufts has a number of research centers and institutes that are dedicated to advancing knowledge in a variety of fields. These include the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, which is focused on promoting active citizenship and social responsibility, the Center for the Study of Drug Development, which is dedicated to improving the drug development process, and the Feinstein International Center, which works to improve the lives of people affected by humanitarian crises.
Overall, Tufts University is a vibrant and dynamic community of scholars, researchers, and activists who are committed to making a positive impact on the world. With its strong academic programs, diverse community, and commitment to social justice, Tufts is an excellent choice for students who are looking for a challenging and rewarding educational experience.
Closing Remarks
We would like to thank Coach Svagdis for participating in our Program Spotlight, and we wish the Jumbo baseball team the best of luck in the upcoming season!
