(again OP, sorry to take this off topic, but maybe this discussion will be interesting for you in evaluating schools or, if you go to an Ivy, you’ll be the resident Ivy League history expert!)
I’ll try not to hijack thread too much, but can you name another US college sports league that is associated primarily with academic strength? The “Ivy League” brand might not be as ubiquitous in the midwest, but I think, compared to other “academic college leagues” like the NESCAC, which is arguably as “academic,” or the less elite but still well regarded Centennial Conference, the Ivy League is far and away more “branded.” How and why, I am less aware of.
This Columbia Spectator article investigates it a bit:
"When the Ivy League was founded in 1954, athletic performance was important—so important that it influenced prospective students’ decision to attend a school and alumni’s decision to donate. Because football was meaningful to the markets with the most control over a college’s finances and reputation, it became of vital significance to the school. http://features.columbiaspectator.com/eye/2016/02/17/how-to-build-a-brand/
I did a quick NYT archive search for fun and found constant references (almost weekly in football season) to the “Ivy” league (all give it “qoutes”), starting in 1935 (league was officially formed in the 50’s. The Military Academies were part of the old informal league of the 30’s I think.) No other schools were associated with a “league.” Whether by design or accident, the “Ivy” league was being branded long before it was officially formed.
https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/11/05/88617253.html?pageNumber=35
https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/12/01/88089714.html?pageNumber=33
On Dec. 3, 1936 seven (no Brown) Ivy school newspapers ran simultaneous editorial calling for formation of Ivy League for “enlightened cooperation.” (Didn’t become official for almost 20 years.)
https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/12/03/88091396.html?pageNumber=33
Recently the Ivy League signed a 10 year branding deal:
http://www.jmisports.com/the-ivy-league-names-jmi-sports-official-marketing-rights-agency/
If I had more time, I’d search some of the Chicago and LA/ SF papers to see how it played out there as well…