summer (in this case) weekend/overnighter to discuss situation. sure it's easier on the coach not to say it face to face, but for the kid and Virginia Tech's reputation it could be demoralizing and bad PR, respectively.
or someone from the athletic department - preferably baseball related - could make the side trip while on a summer recruiting tour and explain to the young man and family, and work out any referrals, maybe another look/second chance.

i personally was let go after working 16 years for an A/E firm that was improperly managed and was losing money. they sent a "temporary supervisor" (because they had secretly retired my supervisor for company money-savings) to tell me i had to leave the premises that morning. no one from front office came and even said good-bye or thanks. i did them a favor and said 'thanks and goodbye' to all the staff but them and went an got a better paying job.
[ ,,, and btw: they closed after 62 years in business, declared bankruptcy 7.5 months later, confiscated my retirement pension to pay company debts, and have never reopened.]
it hurt to be cut off facelessly after having given to the company many extra hours w/o pay to try and keep the business going. - > so, even though a college scholly is different - I can feel for this young man and his family.

just sayin there has to be a more acceptable and correct way of taking care of roster reductions.

thanks for all your inputs into this thread. Go Hokies!