Myles Brand, who served as NCAA President since 2003 and who worked tirelessly on academic reform, presidential leadership and fiscal policies, died September 16 after a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Brand, 67, was the first university president to serve as the Association's chief executive.
In July at CoSIDA's annual convention in San Antonio, Brand was recognized with the 2009 Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award.
The Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award is presented to an individual, who, or an organization which, has made a lasting contribution to intercollegiate athletics, has demonstrated a long and consistent commitment to excellence and has been a loyal supporter of CoSIDA and its mission.
For more information, Brand's legacy and to see the tributes to him and his work, please visit
www.ncaa.org.
CoSIDA remembers President Brand
"Myles Brand will be remembered for his incredible vision for intercollegiate athletics and especially for his tireless advocacy for the student-athlete. We had the special privilege of Dr. Brand serving as our keynote Convention speaker in 2007, and were honored to have a sitting NCAA President address our athletic communications group for the first time.
His message to us reflected his great belief and commitment to improving the student-athlete experience and provide equal opportunity for men and women. Dr. Brand was a wonderful spokesman for the NCAA and for the importance of intercollegiate athletics in higher education, and guided the NCAA with integrity and honesty. He valued and appreciated the scope of athletic public relations and communications, and reminded us of the importance in addressing difficult issues with integrity as we focused on publicizing and promoting our institutional messages.
Again, Dr. Brand had a wonderful passion for the welfare of the student-athlete. He impressed upon all of us the importance of honoring and publicizing student-athlete achievements not only on the playing field, but in the classroom and community as well. We would all do well to carry out our professional responsibilities with the same high standards that Myles Brand established as President of the NCAA."
Justin Doherty, University of Wisconsin Assistant AD for External RelationsPresident, College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)