© University of Rochester 1996-2012
Intercollegiate athletics lost a true champion in Myles Brand ’67 (PhD). The president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association since 2003, Brand was the first former university president to lead the NCAA. In that role, he emphasized that athletics play an important educational part in the lives of students, and his leadership in promoting academic success among student athletes was widely applauded.
After earning a doctorate in philosophy from Rochester, he went on to a highly regarded career as a scholar and educational administrator, serving as president of the University of Oregon before being named president of Indiana University in 1994.
As the head of the NCAA, Brand confronted some tough realities in big-time athletics. In Division I football and basketball, especially, economic forces often drive decision making. While he strongly defended the commercial aspects of collegiate athletics, he also pushed for more accountability in the academic performance of students.
Given that control of policymaking within the NCAA is in the hands of university presidents at universities that benefit from the commercial enterprise, this was a tough job and required masterful leadership. Brand brought together groups of coaches and key administrators to focus on academic performance. He had an ability to withstand criticisms and attacks from those who sought to weaken reforms. Through his example, other presidents were able to stand firm in support of academic success.
Brand returned to campus for Commencement in 2003 to receive the Hutchison Medal, the University’s highest alumni honor. A true teacher of philosophy, he reminded the graduating students of why humans find value in ethical systems that stand the test of time. It was a standard that he maintained throughout his life and work before succumbing to pancreatic cancer on Sept. 16.
He will be remembered as a strong leader on many fronts, but most significantly he reintroduced education into the discourse of intercollegiate athletics. While his leadership will be sorely missed, what he helped build will have lasting value to our colleges and universities.
—George VanderZwaag
George VanderZwaag is the director of the Department of Athletics and Recreation.
© University of Rochester 1996-2012