He was president of Indiana when they made the decision to fire basketball coach Bob Knight after he violated personal conduct policy, and that’s what people will probably remember most about him, but he was equally reforming in the NCAA. He actually used this decision to create a platform, saying that there needed to be more personal accountability in sports.

Myles Brand, Image: Newscom

Brand was the first NCAA president who wasn’t an athlete, coach, or other sports professional himself. As a result, his policies were often more focused on gender equity, student academics, and other things that were unpopular, rather than on the sports themselves. Personally, I think he was well-needed in college athletics.

In January, Brand went public with is diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. He continued to work at the NCAA, and so far, the organization hasn’t announced a replacement. He was 67. RIP.

Read more about Brand here.

Post from: EveryJoe

RIP Myles Brand

Myles Brand, Image: Newscom

Brand’s acceptance speech was less than five minutes long, but it’s more than most expected. He didn’t come to the NCAA’s annual Washington, D.C. convention, nor did he make trips to San Antonio or Orland to pick up other awards he won.

Although he was noticably thinner and appeared weak, Brand’s spirits were good, and sources close to the family say he’s doing as well as can be expected. Said Brand that night,

“It’s been my great pleasure to help lead the work of the NCAA these past seven years. I believe it’s a great mission, and we are now harvesting the benefits of our hard work.”

Post from: EveryJoe

NCAA’s Brand Honored at Pathfinder Ceremony