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[quote=Anonymous]D1 All American in a similar sport (track - times convey quite a bit). Heavily recruited. No parental involvement as my single mother was sick. Here’s my take:

Have your son discuss his training as factually as possible. Every coach wants to know how high the ceiling is with an athlete.

Have your son explicate his goals. If he has any desire to stay connected with the sport long term, mention that.

State his current academic interest. D3 coaches typically have far less pull with admissions than at D1, where the abuse is ridiculous, but the coach at D3 can assist if the stats line up.

Your son needs to get a read on the coach- I like D3 and find D1 athletics often corrupting of the academic mission, but a tyrant of a coach makes no sense at the D3 level. They exist in track at the D3 level, and again, in an environment where academics should prevail, the experience should be challenging but enjoyable. My friend - a long time coach at a major university near Chicago, thinks most athletes make a mistake putting too much emphasis on making D1, because they would have better careers and progressions at D2 or D3. D2 has an issue with an overall lack of competitive schools, but exceptions like the Colorado School of Mines are very good.

You mention hitting puberty late which is a factor.  This can likely be addressed by referring to 9th grade height and weight (this is a factor with boys and not to be put upon girls). I was 5”2 and 105 pounds in 9th grade. In 12th, I was 5”10 130. Ran with limited training 4:29 as a frosh in the mile, 4:05 as a senior. I didn’t not do anything but grow into my body.

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