What does it actually take to get recruited by Brown baseball—and is a 4.0 GPA enough? Brown head baseball coach Frank Holbrook joins Mike Vilardo on On The Subject to break down Ivy League recruiting, from grades, test scores, and course rigor to what gets a player on his recruiting board. He shares what makes a recruiting email stand out, why he prefers full-game film over highlights, and how families should prioritize spending on instruction, strength training, and showcases. Plus, they discuss the transfer portal, the biggest misconception in travel baseball, and building a program that matches Brown’s academic reputation.

Is travel baseball helping your kid or just draining your wallet? On this episode of On The Subject, Mike Vilardo sits down with Bobby Minor, the voice behind Chasing Baseball Dreams, for an honest conversation about youth baseball. Drawing on decades of experience as a player, coach, and parent, Bobby breaks down what families should actually spend money on, why chasing exposure too early can backfire, and how to navigate college recruiting without getting caught up in the D1 dream. They discuss overlooked opportunities in JUCO and NAIA, the pressure that drives kids away from the game, and why your son needs a dad—not an agent. It’s a candid look at developing better players, protecting family relationships, and keeping baseball fun.

What does it really take to play Division I hockey at an Ivy League school? Brown University head coach Thomas Upton joins Mike Vilardo to break down the path from youth hockey to juniors to college recruiting. He explains what coaches look for at the rink, which recruiting emails get a response, and why players shouldn’t panic if they aren’t being contacted early. They also unpack Ivy League admissions and financial aid, the changing college hockey landscape, and Upton’s plans to build a new culture at Brown.