The leadership of the NCAA has made a strong statement in choosing Myles Brand from the academic side to succeed Ced Dempsey as president of the NCAA.

The duty of leaders is to confront issues. Both Brand and Dempsey have demonstrated a strong record of decision-making over many years at the top of sophisticated organizations. Indeed, in his final weeks in office, Dempsey published "The Will to Act," a discussion of issues facing the NCAA. It illustrated his commitment to the values of the NCAA and its unique role in American society fostering the development of student-athletes.

One of the changes Dempsey pushed through in his final year in office was to reconstitute the NCAA Foundation, the former fund-raising arm of the Association. Independent studies commissioned by the NCAA had determined that the structure of the Foundation and its ability to demonstrate a case for fund-raising could not be successful over time.

The NCAA desired to retain a strong corporate advisory board to provide an important external perspective. It also wanted a platform to inform the public about the NCAA and its mission of preparing student-athletes for meaningful lives through athletics and higher education. And it wanted to integrate the advisory board with the NCAA/CBS corporate sponsorship programs.

Bob Lawless, president of the University of Tulsa and chair of the NCAA Executive Committee, spoke forcefully about the need of the NCAA to hear an important leadership perspective periodically from outside the NCAA governance structure. The former Foundation Board of Directors was dissolved in August and a new Leadership Advisory Board was created to replace it.

The advisory board will continue to attract top talent as long as the work is meaningful. These are not people who need another board association to get access to tickets to championships. These are people who have demonstrated a passion for higher education. Many chair or have chaired boards at universities orcolleges. They have dealt with issues of university governance, economics, diversity, academic integrity in athletic programs and other challenges. They are people with track records at being accountable. Their backgrounds and experiences meet every test of diversity.

Advisory board members will endeavor to provide scholarship opportunities for degree completion and fund the Leadership Conference, among other initiatives. Over time, the NCAA also hopes to develop a cause-related marketing program within the national office to assist with funding educational initiatives. The core work, however, will be providing counsel and support for the NCAA's mission.

The advisory board's first meeting with the NCAA Executive Committee was held last month in Washington, D.C. Discussions were intense and detailed around the challenges facing the NCAA and the dimensions of "The Will to Act" project.

Board members came away convinced that NCAA leaders were serious about obtaining and maintaining an outside perspective. They appreciated the dedication of the Executive Committee members and the complexity of the issues. They were pleased at the Executive Committee's commitment to confront realities.

Subsequent conversation was about how to make such discussions even more effective. Where possible, information will be shared with the advisory board in advance so their comments come with a better understanding of the history and nuances of issues. The agenda also would be focused around top NCAA priorities.

Given the issues facing the NCAA, the commitment to meet with a qualified group of advisers seems both prescient and timely. With new leadership at the NCAA and a new structure for an advisory board, the board's role likely will evolve for a period of time. Board members left the first meeting believing they could serve the NCAA's mission and their voice was welcome.

Tom Curley is president and publisher of USA Today and a member of the NCAA Leadership Advisory Board.