I agree with your D2/D3 argument especially for my 2nd going through. First kid we probably paid over $50,000 for summer travel. Then he went to a $54,000 school with a roster of 35 and got $8,100 per year so we still paid $45,900. He played lax 24/7 or about 5 hours a day and didn't get too much playing time. We were lucky at least he was able to take the major he wanted.

My next still plays but we are stressing the academics and hope he goes D3 or plays college club. We hope our 2nd has a more balanced college experience socially, academically and lax wise. I hope this helps someone who is new to the process