As overly broad and dark as was the picture of intercollegiate athletics painted by the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics report in the summer of 2001, the truest stroke in "A Call to Action" may have been the challenge: "The search now is for the will to act."

Although there will be disagreements over the details, it is clear that college presidents at NCAA member institutions are frustrated and even embarrassed by too large a number of highly publicized issues that at best advertise a blatant hypocrisy and at worst represent negligent contempt for the mission and good name of higher education. Low graduation rates among high-profile athletes, escalating salaries for the most elite of football and basketball coaches, the tension between the amateur status of student-athletes, and the drive for commercial dollars are among the concerns that the public, media and university administrators all note when they describe the failure of intercollegiate athletics to live up to its values. All agree that serious attention to meaningful reform in a number of areas is required.

Will to Act

The good news is that all three divisions of the NCAA appear prepared to take action in ways that will result in real changes. Divisions II and III already have developed strategic plans that set goals, define expectations and provide benchmarks for measuring progress. The Division I Board of Directors Task Force has begun that effort. Arguably, it is in Division I -- and Division I-A in particular -- where the greatest tension exists between necessary change and a "don't rock the boat" comfort in the status quo. Nonetheless, issues around academic standards and performances, student-athlete welfare, diversity hiring, gambling, amateurism, financial management and the reputation of intercollegiate athletics touch all divisions, all member institutions and all those individuals engaged in college sports.

As I considered what contribution I could make to the future viability of intercollegiate athletics during the last few months of my tenure as NCAA president, I was compelled to provide a series of commentaries on a variety of issues confronting college sports. These essays frame the issues as clearly and succinctly as possible; propose one or more approaches to resolution; and, while recognizing the need for pragmatic solutions, recommend that the values we have adopted in our bylaws guide all final decisions.

Most of all, I hope to encourage the will to act. If we lose that will, our efforts to align all the necessary components for reform are likely to result in the mediocrity that too often has marred previous attempts at lasting reform.

These commentaries were delivered to institutional chief executive officers every two weeks during the first half of 2002. We are providing this collection of all 13 essays for those who want to use the material for reference purposes.

One of the great benefits in a change of leadership in any organization is the opportunity to assess fairly where we are and set a new course for the future. I look forward to my part in this transition.