Not everyone views extracurricular sports as purely a stepping stone to other "greater" things. (Major leagues, NFL, Olympics, etc.) Sometimes being in the sport itself IS the goal. I understand that different people have different levels of commitment to their or their child's activities. There is nothing at all wrong with that. If it isn't worth it to you or someone in your family, then don't do it.
I have seen many of the travel, move-in, or super-senior situations that are nothing at all like what is seemingly being assumed here. Not every athlete comes from a loving storybook suburban family prepping to send them off to an Ivy League school. Some of the athletes are essentially on their own, or worse. The structure, discipline, and relative safety of being in our (or TG, Cali, etc.) program can be a great thing for those specific kids.
Also, for some of the athletes that go to "cheer" schools, or go to schools near a gym - that is the main reason they are in college at all. Perhaps it isn't the loftiest reason to continue their education, but it is usually better than not going at all. We aren't talking about National Merit Scholars giving up their Harvard full-ride scholarship to go to a local junior college and be on a senior team.
Excuse me if I sound defensive about this. I have just seen some young athletes really benefit from being a part of the program (or others like it.)