Because it's not. Here is SU's mission statement:
Scholarship in Action is the bold vision that propels Syracuse University — a vision for education that’s not static or for its own sake, but breaks out of the traditional “ivory tower.” It drives us to forge innovative and sustained partnerships across our local and global communities. And that makes SU a place where students become leaders, scholars become collaborators, and the community is continually energized by new ideas.
Not a mention of athletics.
If the Euro model of club sports vs college sports were adopted, major colleges would be better off as institutions of learning.