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Myles Brand is a person who truly cares about the 'student' part of student-athlete... he has brought a breadth and a knowledge that we've never had to the NCAA.
NC State athletics director Lee Fowler
Myles Brand assumed his duties as president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association January 1, 2003.
By Dave Pond, Web Communication
Dr. Myles Brand, an innovative leader with an extensive background in both academia and college athletics, will be in Raleigh on Monday, Oct. 13, to take part in NC State's highly-regarded Millennium Seminar Series. His presentation will begin at 6 p.m. at Stewart Theatre, is free and open to NC State students, faculty and staff, as well as the general public.
Brand has served as the president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for five years, and is a past president at the University of Indiana and the University of Oregon, giving him a unique perspective on the difficulties faced in balancing the on-field and classroom interests of NCAA student-athletes.
"[Brand] is a person who truly cares about the 'student' part of student-athlete," NC State athletics director Lee Fowler said. "He is very pro-student and pro-education.
"To have been a president of two major universities, you know he understands the campus life as well," Fowler said. "Prior to Dr. Brand's arrival, the past presidents of the NCAA were mostly athletic directors, but he has brought a breadth and a knowledge that we've never had to the NCAA."
During his tenure with the NCAA, Brand has presided over passage of the most comprehensive academic reform package for intercollegiate athletics in recent history – a plan that refocuses the attention of student-athletes, coaches and administrators on the education of student-athletes.
It's a philosophy both mirrored and embraced at NC State, where last year alone, 190 student-athletes had grade-point averages of 3.0 or higher and four student-athletes were named valedictorian of their respective colleges.
The Everett Case Academic Center is NC State's home for the Academic Support Program for Student Athletes (ASPSA). While the bottom floor houses a cafeteria, the top two floors provide 1600 square feet of space used for study halls, tutoring, advising, classed and computer labs.
"I really think we are ahead of what a lot of other people are doing in regards to academics," Fowler said. "We're a leader and not a follower, with all the things we're doing in regards to athletics."
Brand's success as the NCAA president can be equally attributed to his personable nature and his unique ability to relate to university students, faculty and staff on their individual levels.
"He's been a real gift to the NCAA and to all of the universities involved," Fowler said. "He understands the presidents' concerns, because he's been one before, but also cares greatly about the student-athletes.
"The NCAA president is responsible to literally hundreds of thousands of athletes, coaches and administrators, and I've never heard of a single instance where Dr. Brand wasn't willing to talk with or listen to anyone who needed him.," he said. "He's reached out to a lot of people – he gets people in the same room, gets them on the same page and gets things accomplished."
The Millennium Seminars complement NC State's land-grant mission to transform lives and improve the human condition through innovation and discovery. While these seminars are student-centered, they are open to the entire university community and general public and no pre-registration is required to attend.
Previous speakers have included acclaimed broadcast journalist Charlie Rose, acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu, former U.S.Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala and former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before each event. Direct accommodation requests to Retta Clemons by phone at 919.515.2195 or by email. Photo by Trevor Brown, Jr./NCAA Photos.
