Twenty years ago, motivated by a concern for the legitimacy of collegiate athletics, the presidents of the colleges and universities of the NCAA established a Presidents Commission.

At the time, the Commission stood apart from the regular governance structure of the NCAA. It sent its recommendations to the governance bodies and reviewed legislative action taken by them.

The growing cost and, for some, the growing revenues contributed to the escalating importance of athletics for all colleges and universities. The effect of television media on collegiate athletics by the 1980s created a national interest and audience that few had foreseen and with it brought large sums of money into play. The issues stirred by this change required the presidents' involvement.

Failure to engage would have been a surrender of responsibility. The role of athletics at each college and university had become a more important element in the definition of the institution. Any president ignored athletics at his or her peril.

The formation of the Presidents Commission provided a structure in which presidents could deal with the issues and excesses that confronted colleges and universities in the changed environment of collegiate athletics. As they worked on policies and practices for the NCAA, it was apparent that they had to be as in charge nationally as they were expected to be on their own campuses.

In 1997, the change from Presidents Commission to presidential leadership in each of the three divisions (and over the entire Association through the Executive Committee) confirmed the presidents' executive authority in the NCAA governance structure -- a ratification of the inevitable and a position held by a minority of presidents back in 1984.

From the time the presidents became formally involved in the NCAA structure, they addressed the most serious athletics issues faced by the member institutions. They set sensible academic standards for athletes. They sought greater fiscal responsibility. They insisted that women and men be treated equally. They listened to minorities seeking opportunities to advance in athletics professions. They promoted the welfare of the student-athletes and tried to protect them from exploitation. They sought an "even playing field" as they tried to make the rules of competition fair and reasonable.

An early challenge for the presidents and their colleagues in NCAA governance was establishing standards of academic performance required for participation in collegiate athletics. High-school grades and core courses, test scores and racial concerns were on the agenda as the presidents received reports, debated and finally accepted a policy. College sports were not open to all who brought with them a high-school diploma. The diploma had to be accompanied by a proven record of competency. The policy has been improved over the years. The principle remains the same.

The quest for financial responsibility search goes on with varying degrees of intensity and success. Any changes in this area must pass strict antitrust issues in the wake of the restricted-earnings coaches' lawsuit of the mid-1990s.

These days, it is apparent that some aspiring universities move into Division I seeking recognition by inevitably spending more, often to the detriment of their women's and men's nonrevenue programs. Decisions on fiscal responsibility and divisional definition have not yet reached a satisfactory conclusion.

The depth of feeling about gender and racial issues results naturally from higher expectations and the belief that past treatment was unfair. The presidents are always ready to deal seriously with gender and racial issues. All of them during my NCAA experience wanted fairness, equality and opportunity. They acted vigorously through NCAA legislation and the initiation of programs to advance those virtues for women and minorities.

The low graduation rate among athletes is evidence of student exploitation. Trying to win takes precedence over trying to graduate in some athletics departments. Certainly it does among many fans.

The first priority for a college student is the successful completion of a course of study, a value difficult to sustain when collegiate athletics programs become the farm teams for professional athletics. Even in many Division II and III institutions, where professional scouts look less frequently, the graduation rates are too low.

Under mandate from the federal government, the presidents have an opening to improve graduation rates and provide a win for academic integrity. Rules are now in place to encourage universities in Division I to increase the number of athlete graduates. These rules are a modest attack on a culture with deep roots.

The natural desire to win, and the rewards for coaches and institutions where victories substantially outnumber the losses, make winning a high priority. The nation's enthusiasm for athletics contests is likely to sustain that priority indefinitely.

The presidential leadership of the NCAA, then, has the obligation -- along with all of their NCAA colleagues -- to see that the pursuit of victories is conducted fairly, in the best interests of athletes, and without threat to sound academic practice. The Division I certification requirement helps toward this end. The self-study reports in other divisions are useful. Closer collaboration between the NCAA and regional accrediting associations could advance the cause.

Since involving themselves in NCAA policy-making 20 years ago, the presidents have addressed the right issues. They have demonstrated the will to take on any threat that challenges the health of collegiate athletics. They support those who enforce the rules and policies they have approved.

The presidents brought more fairness and integrity to collegiate athletics, but fairness and integrity in athletics are not stationary. Protection of what has been gained and overcoming continuing afflictions depend on the will, insight and leadership skill of those who presently hold and those who will fill the presidencies of our NCAA colleges and universities.

Arend D. Lubbers is the former president of Grand Valley State University and a charter member of the NCAA Presidents Commission, which conducted its first meetings in 1984.

The first NCAA Presidents Commission

Charter members of the NCAA Presidents Commission, which first met in 1984:

Duane Acker -- Kansas State University

James T. Amsler -- Salem State College

Dallas K. Beal -- Fredonia State University

Raymond Burse -- Kentucky State University

William Byron -- Catholic University

James W. Cleary -- California State University, Northridge

Lattie Coor -- University of Vermont

George Drake -- Grinnell College

Glen R. Driscoll -- University of Toledo

Pope A. Duncan -- Stetson University

Edward B. Fort -- North Carolina A&T State University

L. Edward Glynn -- St. Peter's College

Richard C. Gilman -- Occidental College

Robert M. Guillot -- University of North Alabama

Paul Hardin -- Drew University

I.M. Heyman -- University of California, Berkeley

Eugene M. Hughes -- Northern Arizona University

William A. Kennison -- Wittenburg University

Noah N. Langdale Jr. -- Georgia State University

William E. Lavery -- Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Virginia Lester -- Baldwin College

Peter Likins -- Lehigh University

Arend D. Lubbers -- Grand Valley State University

Charles A. Lyons Jr. -- Fayetteville State University

Stanley E. McAffrey -- University of the Pacific

J. Donald Monan -- Boston College

William T. O'Hara -- Bryant College

Ladell Payne -- Randolph-Macon College

J.C. Powell -- Eastern Kentucky University

Herb F. Reinhard -- Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Herbert H. Reynolds -- Baylor University

John W. Ryan -- Indiana University, Bloomington

Patsy Sampson -- Stephens College

Barbara J. Seelye -- Keene State College

Otis A. Singletary -- University of Kentucky

John B. Slaughter -- University of Maryland, College Park

Barbara S. Uehling -- University of Missouri, Columbia

Donald Veal -- University of Wyoming

Walter B. Waetjen -- Cleveland State University

Walter Washington -- Alcorn State University

Del D. Weber -- University of Nebraska, Omaha

James J. Whalen -- Ithaca College

Kenneth J. Weller -- Central College (Iowa)

Cordell Wynn -- Stillman College