DC was accepted at L’ville a few years back. DC asked quite specifically whether Dc’s schedule (meeting coach after school, practice time 3x a week) would be accommodated. In short, DC was not going to get the time for those, nor the absences DC was going to need for national travel. DC went to a LDS, and has verbally committed to a top 15 (sport snd academic) college.
The first 2 years in HS are important for recruiting- of course that varies by sport and DC’s isn’t lacrosse; however, DC’s friends who did go to BS had significantly more resources (think flying kid across the country to meet coach on weekends) that we would have. One went Ivy and another to a similar profile school as DC. The others gave up playing at a high level- exactly why, I can’t say.
It’s ok to be “pointy”. Our other DC is going to BS so we see the value of BS. But for our truly committed-to-the-sport kid, we declined our spot (very tough to do) and have no regrets. Just another perspective if you are struggling with the philosophy of a school regarding elite athletes.