Athletic Scholarships

The New York Times has a good piece today on scholarships and youth athletes, pointing out how great the odds are against a kid getting a decent sports scholarship in college. It mentions, but not enough, in my opinion, the extreme demands on college athletes--really, how much value does a $2,000 scholarship have if a kid is playing a sport virtually full time for a college? And why are high schools holding "signing ceremonies" for students signing letters of intent? When did that baloney start? And why are high schools demanding kids spend so much time--practicies six days a week, for example--to play even jayvee ball?