[CTcard]

As odd as it sounds, apparently the athletic alignment actually drives academic collaboration as well.

That is something presidents like to say.
From time to time, particularly at expansion time, you hear presidents announce some kind of program for intra-conference research collaboration. So I am sure they exist.

However, after now quite several years at several large research universities, I have never been part of, seen, or heard a colleague mention any academic program driven by athletic conference affiliation.

[CTcard]

As odd as it sounds, apparently the athletic alignment actually drives academic collaboration as well.

That is something presidents like to say.
From time to time, particularly at expansion time, you hear presidents announce some kind of program for intra-conference research collaboration. So I am sure they exist.

However, after now quite several years at several large research universities, I have never been part of, seen, or heard a colleague mention any academic program driven by athletic conference affiliation.