Every now and then, sports publications like to trot out their lists of the 50 or 100 most "influential" people in athletics. And when they do, the NCAA's Tom Jernstedt and David Berst usually show up, maybe not in the top 10, but they're there nonetheless.

While that might lead people to think the duo that has a combined service of more than six decades has bullied its way into membership decisions over the years, those who know them well might argue otherwise.

Berst, who gained acclaim as the NCAA's director of enforcement during high-profile infractions cases in the 1970s and 1980s, believes that staff rightfully attempts to lead and tries to influence decisions, "but it's how you do it that matters."

"There may not be a manual on how to provide that interaction or 'leadership,' " Berst said, "but I wouldn't have been at this for as long as I have unless I felt I was contributing in a larger sense to intercollegiate athletics. To me, staff members aren't doing all they can if they don't provide some sort of unique contribution to the work, whether it's through a remote subcommittee or the Board of Directors."

Berst, who as chief of staff for Division I is the primary liaison to the Board, said that attitude is no different from the one Walter Byers had, even though Byers stayed out of the spotlight.

Whether working in front of or behind the scenes, influential staff members are subject to speculation that they are advancing their own agenda and perhaps not the membership's. Berst is no stranger to that, particularly during his enforcement days. But most people who think a particular staff member is advancing an agenda probably either have an ax to grind or simply disagree with the proposal.

"If I've ever had an 'agenda,' it's been principle-based," Berst said. "I'm not loyal to any particular individual or even the NCAA if what's being proposed doesn't match what I think is right for intercollegiate athletics.

"My views are fairly radical in this regard, but I've also been a good soldier in the sense that when the bureaucracy does something different from what I think is right, I understand that I could have a minority view, and I tend to not take those issues personally."

Jernstedt, the NCAA senior vice-president who oversees the NCAA championships group and the branding, broadcasting and promotions group, said he's privileged to have been involved with the programs and activities of the Association for 30 years.

"Throughout my tenure, I've had opportunities to develop relationships with the constituents of this Association and I have worked hard to understand their concerns and interests," Jernstedt said. "In doing so, I've tried to gain their trust. That has led me to have, I suppose, some indirect influence that otherwise might not have materialized."

Jernstedt said committee members not only don't mind the influence, they seek it. He cited a prime example when former chair of the Division I Men's Basketball Committee Tom Butters told Jernstedt to lead as much as possible. He said Butters knew the staff intimately understood the basketball tournament and its policies, and members wanted to put that knowledge to use by having Jernstedt and his staff present issues and options for the committee to vote up or down.

"Due to the fact that the staff is dedicated on a daily basis to basketball issues," Jernstedt said, "the committee looks to us to provide a clear and concise set of options and recommendations for its review."

Jernstedt acknowledged, however, that such direction had to be earned and was important to sustain.

"If you walk into a committee setting without having developed relationships or having earned members' trust and you start presenting issues as an advocate, committee members may become offended or distrustful," he said.

Jernstedt said the recent charge from college and university presidents to have staff adopt more of a leadership role hasn't changed his style. It hasn't changed Berst's style, either. Both, however, wonder if it will change what the membership expects from the staff.

"It's important to note that though presidents have sent the message, many NCAA committees are not composed of presidents," Jernstedt said.

"Any previous charge from the membership for the staff to be more involved usually has been driven by the membership's confidence in individuals more than a willingness to accept a different way of doing things."