Sept. 17, 2009

 

Additional tributes to Myles

NACDA and its affiliate associations would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Brand family and the NCAA during this difficult time.

Below are thoughts shared by NACDA and its affiliate association presidents.

NACDA Executive Director, Mike Cleary
"Myles was a good person who came in as an academian and dedicated his presidency to enhancing the academic environment. Once he became involved with his new constituency, athletics, he truly embraced it and therefore his loss will have a profound effect on the athletics community. The many people within NACDA and its affiliate associations that worked with Myles through the years want to extend their deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time."

NACDA President Randy Spetman, director of athletics, Florida State University
"Myles commitment to integrating athletics with academics during his tenure will be a focus of his legacy, as proven by his prime measures - the APR and Graduation Success Rate. His commitment to diversity and inclusion was unprecedented. Intercollegiate athletics has lost a true leader and friend."

CABMA President Frank Hardymon, associate athletics director/chief financial officer, Georgia Tech
"The members of the Collegiate Athletic Business Management Association are saddened to hear of the passing of Myles Brand. Our organization was fortunate to have Dr. Brand serve as Keynote Speaker at our 2008 Convention. We are grateful for the message he delivered that day, and are appreciative of his many accomplishments that positively impacted student athletes as well as the business side of intercollegiate athletics."

CEFMA President Steve Adams, assistant athletic director for internal operations, Wake Forest University
"I was saddened to hear about the passing of Mr. Brand. His contributions to collegiate athletics were far reaching and his dedication to his profession was exemplary. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Officers and members of CEFMA, I would like to wish his family and friends our heart felt condolences."

Division I-A McLendon Scholarship Steering Committee Chair Keith Tribble, director of athletics, University of Central Florida
"Myles Brand affected positive change across the landscape of college athletics during his tenure and worked tirelessly in support of diversity and inclusion within the athletics community. His support of our Foundation since its inception was both meaningful and essential for us to carry out our goal of providing opportunities for minorities to further their education in the field of athletics administration."

Division I-AAA ADA President Jean Lenti Ponsetto, director of athletics at DePaul University
"I had the great privilege and honor to serve under Myles' leadership in several capacities, while as Chair of the Division I Championships Cabinet when he first came on board and later when appointed to serve on ad hoc committees for Women's Basketball and the Men's Basketball Academic Enhancement Committee. His passion for academic reform and student-athlete welfare issues was as dynamic and fierce as the competitiveness of a world class athlete. From the first Championships Cabinet meeting he attended to Management Council and the culminating Board meetings where budget matters were decided, his support of student-athlete success academically and athletically was unwavering, especially for those issues that provided greater access and opportunity for women and minorities. The real measure of his leadership and commitment will be felt for generations."

Division II ADA President Ed Matejkovic, director of athletics at West Chester University
"Myles Brand had a great affinity and understanding of college athletics, and I think was a true proponent of the Division II model of balance. He had great support for the Strategic Positioning Platform in D-II over his tenure and was a great source of enthusiasm for advancing the academic success of all student-athletes which was of utmost importance. All of us will mourn his loss but will strive to seek a successor who will mirror his ideals and vision."

FCS President Peter Fields, director of athletics, Montana State University
"Myles Brand used his experience as a college administrator to forge a vision for change. He affected long-lasting and important changes during his time with the NCAA, and his legacy includes academic progress of student-athletes, diversity inclusion, along with a stable financial future of the organization."

ICLA President Derek Lochbaum, director of trademarks and licensing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"Myles Brand was a passionate leader who will be greatly missed in the university community. His contributions reached areas of the campus far beyond those typically associated with intercollegiate athletics. He was a true champion for not only the student-athlete and intercollegiate athletics but, for higher education."

MOAA President Clint Bryant, director of athletics at Augusta State University
"Intercollegiate athletics has lost a champion. Myles Brand has left a "Brand" on intercollegiate athletics that will have an everlasting impact on the culture of sports forever. His commitment to diversity and inclusion is just one example of his depth and insight, and we all are better because he cared so deeply about all those involved in the makeup of collegiate sports. We should not mourn but instead celebrate that he has made a tremendous difference."

NAAC President Amy Folan, Associate Athletics Director Athletics Compliance Services at The University of Texas
"Myles loss will obviously be felt across the country. He was a champion for the student-athlete and he advocated for transparency in intercollegiate athletics. His leadership and his passion will be missed."

NAADD President Tim McMurray, senior associate athletics director at Northern Illinois University
"On behalf of the entire NAADD membership, our thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Brand's family - both immediate and extended. He was truly a beacon of reform and change in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. His contributions will be missed, but they also leave a legacy that will benefit the lives of all those connected to our member institutions."

NACMA President Jeff Bain, director of athletics at Martin Methodist College
"Myles Brand was a leader's leader. His style, his confidence, his vision, and his skills were a leadership package that do not surface on our earth very often. He will truly be missed for many years to come by all of us, in both the halls of academia and the venues of athletics, who knew him and that were influenced by him. We were very fortunate and honored to have Myles serve as both our leader and mentor."

NATYCAA President Carl Heinrich, director of athletics, Johnson County Community College
"Dr. Brand truly proved himself to be a supporter of two-year college athletics and the two-year college student athlete. Through his efforts, along with Dr. George Boggs, President and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges, we were able to dramatically improve the working relationship and increase communications between the four-year college sector and the two-year college sector. Dr. Brand wholeheartedly supported the re-establishment of the NCAA Two-Year Relations Panel in 2003 and since that time our relationship has progressed tremendously. Dr. Brand was always willing to take the time to meet with our group and listen to and discuss any and all of our concerns. His presence and vision will be greatly missed."