@twoinanddone, though DU is a century and a half old and they’re competitive in minor sports where the competition isn’t as fierce (so it’s easier to shoot to the top). That might be an ideal strategy for the SUNY’s as well, if they want to use sports to rise in prestige.
As an aside, while Hutchins got rid of football at the UofC, football helped build up that university. Amos Alonzo Stagg was a giant in the game and the first UofC president (Harper) was an enthusiastic supporter of the game (the visibility and money likely didn’t hurt). In the early years of the 20th century, the UofC and UMich often vied to be the top team in the West (today’s Midwest) and drew record crowds to their games.