Myles Brand: The Legacy of Reform and Advocacy in College Sports
Myles Brand, the fourth president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), left an indelible mark on the landscape of intercollegiate athletics. His tenure, though relatively short, was characterized by a renewed emphasis on academic integrity, student-athlete well-being, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Brand's legacy extends beyond policy changes; it encompasses a fundamental shift in the perception and priorities of the NCAA.
The Voice and Conscience of College Sports
When Myles Brand assumed the presidency of the NCAA, the organization faced an identity crisis. The public questioned its true role and purpose in intercollegiate athletics. Brand recognized the need to redefine the NCAA's image and clearly articulate its core values. He sought to re-establish the NCAA as the voice and conscience of college sports, prioritizing the well-being and interests of student-athletes.
Historically, the NCAA was established in 1906 by a group of university presidents, spurred by President Theodore Roosevelt, to address the alarming rate of severe injuries among student-athletes. The organization's initial mission was to reform college sports regulations to ensure the safety and fairness of competitions. Brand aimed to reinforce this original mission, emphasizing the NCAA's lasting obligation to set standards and protect student-athletes.
In 2003, Brand clearly articulated the importance of The Collegiate Model-which prioritized balance between academics and athletics-as well as guidelines for universities on how to maintain those values.
A Champion of the Collegiate Model
Brand was a staunch advocate for the "Collegiate Model," which emphasizes the importance of balancing academics and athletics. He believed that student-athletes should be students first, and that athletic success should not come at the expense of their education. To promote this model, Brand introduced several key initiatives, including the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and the Academic Progress Rate (APR).
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Graduation Success Rate (GSR): The GSR was designed to provide a more accurate assessment of graduation rates for student-athletes, taking into account transfer students and those who leave school in good academic standing.
Academic Progress Rate (APR): The APR tracks student-athlete progress and holds universities accountable for their academic performance. Teams that fail to meet certain academic standards face sanctions, such as bans from postseason competition and reduced practice time.
These measures were intended to incentivize universities to prioritize academics and provide student-athletes with the support they need to succeed in the classroom. Brand's leadership in this area was instrumental in fostering a culture change within the NCAA, one that placed greater emphasis on academic achievement.
Humanizing the NCAA
Brand sought to humanize the NCAA, making it more responsive to the concerns of student-athletes. He wanted to ensure that student-athletes felt heard by the organization and its leaders. Under his guidance, the NCAA became less impersonal and rigid, more willing to listen to student-athlete concerns and consider individual cases independently.
The Philosopher President: A Background in Academics
Myles Brand's unique perspective stemmed from his background as an academic and university president. Prior to leading the NCAA, he served as president of Indiana University (1994-2002) and the University of Oregon (1989-1994). He also held administrative positions at Ohio State University and the University of Arizona.
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Born in Brooklyn, New York, Brand initially pursued a degree in mechanical engineering before discovering his passion for philosophy. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in philosophy from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1964 and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Rochester in 1967.
Brand's academic background shaped his approach to leadership. He believed in the power of education and the importance of ethical decision-making. He brought a unique perspective to the NCAA, one that emphasized the value of academics and the importance of protecting the interests of student-athletes.
From Action Theory to Action
As a philosopher, Brand's primary focus was action theory. He was interested in the relationship between intentions, plans, and actions. He sought to understand how individuals make decisions and how their actions are guided by their beliefs and desires.
Brand's philosophical background influenced his leadership style. He was a thoughtful and deliberate decision-maker, carefully considering the consequences of his actions. He was also a strong advocate for ethical behavior, believing that leaders have a responsibility to act with integrity.
Brand's interest in action extended beyond theoretical discussions. He wanted to translate his philosophical insights into practical action. He saw his administrative positions as opportunities to effect change and make a positive impact on the world.
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The Firing of Coach Knight
One of the most controversial decisions of Brand's career was the firing of Bob Knight, the legendary men's basketball coach at Indiana University. Knight had a long history of misconduct, including allegations of verbal and physical abuse.
In 2000, Brand launched an investigation into Knight's behavior. The investigation revealed a pattern of inappropriate conduct. Brand issued a "zero tolerance" policy, warning Knight that any further violations would result in his termination.
Shortly after, Knight violated the policy by making unwelcome physical contact with a student. Brand responded by firing Knight, a decision that sparked outrage among many fans and alumni.
Despite the controversy, Brand stood by his decision. He believed that Knight's behavior was unacceptable and that it was his responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of students. The firing of Coach Knight sent a strong message that Indiana University would not tolerate misconduct, regardless of the individual's fame or success.
Leading the NCAA: A New Era of Reform
In 2003, Brand left Indiana University to become president of the NCAA. He took over the helm of the organization during a time of intense scrutiny. The NCAA was criticized for not prioritizing academics and education. Brand, with his background as a college president and academic, was expected to bring new priorities to an institution previously governed by individuals with backgrounds in athletics administration.
Brand warned that the "arms race" among upper-echelon schools was the biggest dilemma confronting the NCAA's future success. He sought to address this issue by implementing reforms that would promote financial responsibility and prevent universities from spending excessive amounts of money on athletics.
Reforming College Sports: A Value-Based Vision
Brand sought to effect a culture change within the NCAA, creating an organization that prioritized academics as much as athletics. To that end, he developed what he called a "value-based vision of intercollegiate athletics" that was more responsive to student-athlete's academic needs and encouraged greater oversight by university presidents.
Brand firmly believed that the objective of one’s college experience was graduation, but student-athletes were not always given the opportunity to prioritize their academics. So, he helped introduce the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) to more accurately assess graduation rates and the new Academic Progress Rate (APR), which would track student-athlete progress and hold universities accountable for their success.
The Academic Progress Rate (APR) measured a team’s academic performance through the eligibility and retention of student-athletes each term. If a team was underperforming, then the NCAA would impose sanctions until they improved. Those sanctions banned teams from competitions and reduced the number of hours allowed for athletic activities each week, giving students more time to focus on graduating. Brand’s steadfast leadership through this reform process encouraged university presidents to stand firm as they faced complaints from fans and coaches.
Advocating for Equity and Inclusion
Throughout his career, Brand was a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion. He continually expanded the scope of NCAA initiatives to address issues of injustice regarding race, gender, sexuality, and disability. He also sought to restructure the hierarchies of power and control that prevented true equity within athletics, advocating for more diversity in administrative positions.
Brand defended Title IX when it was under attack. He vehemently argued against the "dumb jock" myth that pervaded perceptions of African American athletes. And he often spoke out against the low numbers of women and people of color in administrative and coaching positions.
In August 2005, Brand created the NCAA's Office for Diversity and Inclusion to actively support these efforts, hiring African American scholar Charlotte Westerhaus to serve as the Vice President of the office. Together, they developed and implemented programs such as the Diversity Education Program, the Football Coaches Academy, and the Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males and Females.
Over the years, Brand repeatedly spoke on issues of social justice in sports, doing his part to change our culture for the better. Brand himself admitted that solving these injustice problems was one of the most persistent and frustrating challenges of his tenure: one that still, to this day, reveals an unfortunate resistance to racial and gender equity.
The End of an Era
After six years of leadership, Brand's tenure as NCAA President was sadly cut short. On December 31, 2008, he was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer, and his health began to severely decline. In consideration of his well-being, a shortened version of his final State of the Association Address was publicly delivered by Vice President Wallace Renfro in 2009.
Myles Brand continued his duties as President until he passed away on September 16, 2009. He was honored with the publication of the NCAA Tribute Book as well as a live telecast CBS Sports Tribute hosted by Jim Nantz and featuring soprano Sylvia McNair, rock legend John Mellencamp, and poet Garrett Hongo.
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