Myles Brand

Myles Brand was an American philosopher and academic administrator who served as the president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association from 2003 until his death in 2009. He is best known for championing the Division I Academic Progress Rate and advocating for the integration of athletics within the broader educational mission of universities. His tenure followed leadership roles at major institutions including the University of Oregon and Indiana University.

Early life and education

Myles Brand was born on May 17, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York. He pursued his undergraduate studies in philosophy and mathematics, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1964. He then attended the University of Rochester, where he received both his Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in philosophy, completing his doctorate in 1967. His academic work focused on the philosophy of action theory, laying a foundation for his later administrative philosophy.

Academic career

Brand began his academic career as a professor of philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh and later at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He published scholarly works, including the book *Intending and Acting: Toward a Naturalized Action Theory*. His administrative path commenced when he became the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arizona. In 1989, he was appointed president of the University of Oregon, where he oversaw initiatives to strengthen research programs. In 1994, Brand assumed the presidency of Indiana University, a position he held for eight years. His tenure at Indiana University was marked by significant growth in research funding, the establishment of the School of Informatics, and the controversial dismissal of basketball coach Bob Knight in 2000, a decision that garnered national attention.

NCAA presidency

In 2003, Myles Brand was selected as the president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, becoming the first university president to hold the position. He immediately launched a major reform agenda centered on academic integrity, most notably creating the Academic Progress Rate system to hold teams accountable for student-athlete classroom performance. He was a vocal proponent of the "college athlete" model, arguing against professionalization and emphasizing the educational value of sports. During his tenure, he navigated complex issues such as the expansion of the NCAA basketball tournament, television contracts with CBS and ESPN, and enforcement cases involving member institutions. He also strengthened the association's headquarters in Indianapolis.

Legacy and impact

Brand's most enduring legacy is the institutionalization of academic standards within Division I athletics through the Academic Progress Rate, which remains a cornerstone of the association's policy. He is credited with shifting the NCAA's public focus toward the "student-athlete" experience and the broader integration of athletics with the academic missions of institutions like the University of Michigan and Stanford University. His philosophical background informed his advocacy, often articulated in speeches and writings. The Myles Brand Award was established by the Division I-A Athletic Directors' Association to honor his contributions to college sports.

Personal life and death

Myles Brand was married to Peggy Brand, also a philosopher and professor. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008. He continued to perform his duties as NCAA president until his death from the disease on September 16, 2009, in Indianapolis. Following his death, tributes came from across higher education and athletics, including from the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, which had aligned with many of his reform goals. He was interred in Bloomington, Indiana.

Category:2009 deaths Category:Presidents of Indiana University Category:National Collegiate Athletic Association executives