When the summer after freshman year ended my son was being recruited by 17u programs in the area. While out on an errand forty miles from home one day in an unfamiliar area I noticed one of the places. I dropped in to check it out. I introduced myself as the dad of RJM Jr. The coach warmed up and gave me the full tour.
While the coach had to take a phone call I checked out the alumni wall of fame. I asked about two players not from the area. Both played for a highly ranked college program. Both were drafted. One was a first rounder. The coach asked how I knew of them. I informed him I played college summer ball with their dads. Both dads were drafted. One played on Team USA. The coach started closing me about my son. In his mind he had my son rolled into the same talent pool as the dads and the other sons.
But I would never create this conversation. It came around naturally. My son chose another program. In college recruitment both kids (daughter played softball) were asked about athletes in the family. Given boys grow later than girls at sixteen my son was asked how tall is his older sister.