Sports Leadership

The Importance of Engaged University Presidents

In the world of college sports, there is an intricate hierarchy of leaders who shape the rules and culture of intercollegiate athletics. Governing boards dictate university policies. Conferences organize their championships and tournaments. Coaches directly oversee their athletic programs. And within all of that, the NCAA serves as a guiding voice to protect the well-being of student-athletes.

But Myles Brand firmly believed that the best way to achieve unified, focused leadership was through the power of each university president. As he saw it, the NCAA’s mission could only succeed if every president accepted and enforced NCAA guidelines on their campus. Brand emphasized the reciprocal nature of their relationship and that university presidents had a responsibility to manage their athletic departments accordingly.

In Brand’s words, “I am more convinced than ever that the relationship between intercollegiate athletics and higher education has survived the test of time because those who went before us had the values right. It falls to us—all of us—to see that these values are preserved and that they direct our future actions.”

To that end, Brand argued that university presidents needed to be more engaged with their athletic programs, proactively exercising oversight responsibilities to protect their students’ well-being. From fiscal responsibility to academic success, Brand encouraged university presidents to take charge and reinforce the values outlined by the NCAA, which represented the cooperative efforts of presidents, faculty, administrators, coaches, and student-athletes across the country.

Throughout his career, Brand spoke often on the subject of presidential leadership in sports and offered his guidance to various institutions on the topic.

Sports Leadership

“What Happens in Detroit, Stays in Detroit,” Huffington Post

May 1, 2009


“APR: Mission Accomplished,” Champion Magazine

July 1, 2009


“To Rooney or Not to Rooney,” Huffington Post

July 6, 2009


“Maybe Two Is More Than Twice as Good as One,” Huffington Post

September 16, 2009


ESPN Richard Lapchick Tribute

September 17, 2009


Essays on “The Legacy of Myles Brand,” NCAA Tribute Book

October 28, 2009


NCAA Tribute at Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN, hosted by Jim Nantz with soprano Sylvia McNair, poet Garrett Hongo, and Indiana rock legend John Mellencamp

October 28, 2009


Indiana University Press Release: “IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Myles Brand Chair in Cancer Research”

October 28, 2009


“Myles Brand: In His Own Words,” NCAA Publication of Excerpts from His Speeches

October 28, 2009


“One year later, Brand is still making a difference,” NCAA Champion Magazine, p. 12, by Gary Brown

September 1, 2010