[McLovin]

IMO pick whatever one he thinks has the best chance of helping him with college.

I've found that these days, it means a sport that he will actually play in college and that they will recruit him.

Because what I've seen in our very academically competitive high school and city is that unless you are good enough to be recruited to play at a college, high school sports are basically a waste of time.

I'd always thought that even if you aren't good enough to play in college, colleges would be impressed that you are a very, very good high school athlete, you showed determination in pursuing a sport, etc.

I've found that to not be true. If a college coach wants you on a team, and you are academically qualified, you WILL get in. On the other hand, if you are a good athlete and dedicated to your sport, etc., but no coach wants you, the admissions departments care very little about it.

We know kids going to Harvard, Stanford, etc. and it's all because of athletics. My son is being recruited as a HS sophomore by many schools, including Ivy League, and the Ivy League coaches have told me that most kids get into their schools by "being on a list." That means a list that the college coaches (and others at the school) turn into the admissions department. Without being on a list it's very hard to get in, they tell me.

So, here's my advice:

1. Your son is probably in a good position. My guess is he is going to be interested in academic schools, many of which will NOT be D1 schools. Being recruited and playing on pretty much any D1 school in a sport is difficult (I think there's something like a 5% chance for a HS varsity athlete to play at a D1 school). But for Ivy and other smaller liberal arts schools, it will be easier (still hard for most, but not impossible).

2. You need to keep perspective. Athletics is a huge way to get into high level schools, so it's worth pursuing. If he becomes a "recruitable" athlete, it's worth putting the time into it. And it takes a LOT of time. But if not, he can still participate in the sport, but with perspective, i.e., that it isn't really going to get him anywhere (yeah, I know, "life lessons," "facing adversity" etc., but I'm more pragmatic than that, esp. with academically gifted kids.).

3. I think you see that it's too late for any of the major team sports like baseball, bball, fball, etc. That's probably true for any of the skill sports (golf, tennis, etc.).

4. That probably leaves track as the best option. At our schools (and I think at many or most HSs) track is one of the "no cut" sports that is open to anyone. He sounds athletic and coordinated, and there very well may be a track event that he can excel at. I'd say try them all with the focus being on what suits him best. Our friend's daughter is now a junior at Harvard and she got in by being on the track team. It can be done.