The fools-bet has been sold to parents by directors of the programs who will tell parents you MUST be in travel lax to play in college. While a agree with poster about maybe some folks playing to prepare for HS or to stay in lax shape, I still maintain that the overwhelmingly vast majority of parents/players are under the assumption that they will play college lax and get big $$ to do so.
The first problem with this is everyone, I mean every single kid that wants to play travel lacrosse can. When the top LI program has 4-5 teams in each age you know there are many that aren't "elite". So if travel lacrosse is essentially a walk on, how could you expect that you will get athletic money in college? Any girl that wants to play in college should be able to find a school that will give them a chance even if there isn't a scholarship attached to the offer. Get the academic money and then the athletic money isn't needed
Do you honestly believe that anyone on a 3/4/5 team is doing this for big athletic money? Nobody is selling those kids and parents dreams. As you said, essentially anyone who wants to play can find a team.
I call BS on this-- *nearly* every club has some sort of crap about recruiting tied to it... most of them in your face attempts at selling this idea for a ROI. Its a business and they need to sell you something.
Our experience for the schools that can offer scholarships (not Ivys but they can offer generous financial aid), the scholarship offers range from 20-50% (very few get 50%). While it is not a full ride, 25/30/35/40% paid each year for everything (including books, etc.) can help particularly if it is a strong academic school and your kid loves lacrosse. Sports are not all about ROI. Kids play hopefully because they love to play and compete, and be with their friends and make new friends. If lacrosse can help leverage your kid into a better school than they could have gotten into otherwise (assuming it is a good fit), plus the kid gets a scholarship that pays 20-50% of all expenses, not too bad at all.
You are correct but you sound like a 1st timer. Its not all waterfalls and sunsets. These coaches own these kids 4-6 hours a day so they should be getting some significant scholarship. Do the research, most D1 athletes spend almost double the time on their sport than they do their studies. Its a job and much of the college experience is lost except for the incredible close bond they will form with their teammates.
