The Leadership Council embarked Wednesday on what NCAA President Myles Brand called a critical year in its existence – its first.

Considered the linchpin in the success of the reorganized Division I governance structure, the Council spent its initial meeting in Indianapolis learning about its place in the structure and developing operating procedures going forward. The group is charged with providing counsel to the Division I Board of Directors on issues of national significance.

Brand told the group that the quality of and basis for its advice to the Board in its first one to two years would determine whether the reorganization was a worthwhile exercise.

“The leading perspective from this group needs to be the national perspective, otherwise we will not have accomplished what we need to accomplish,” Brand told the group. “That doesn’t mean that you won’t have experiences and contributions to make from your school or conference perspective. But you are being asked to think strategically and provide advice to the board on a national level.”

Chaired by Georgia Athletics Director Damon Evans, the group is expected to re-engage the membership in governance discussions and create a dialogue that provides significant vetting of national issues.

“It is an exciting time in the history of the NCAA. I take this role very seriously,” Evans said. “I think we as a group will have the opportunity to really shape the future of Division I athletics.”

To that end, Council members offered their first opinion to the Board of Directors: They advised the presidents to continue their support for Prop. No. 2007-30-C, which eliminates the opportunity for men’s basketball coaches to attend nonscholastic events in April. The proposal received enough membership requests for an override of the legislation and will be reconsidered by the Board on August 7. For a more comprehensive review of the issue, click here.

The Leadership Council also heard a general overview of some of the issues already assigned for its consideration, including diversity within the governance structure, membership standards and amateurism of Division I student-athletes. More thorough discussions are expected at future meetings on these and other topics identified by the group, including ethical conduct, recruiting and student-athlete welfare.

The group also began discussions on a series of procedural issues, but agreed that some items, like meeting structure and timing, the need for a vice chair and whether an administrative committee will be formed, can’t be decided until the structure is more developed.

The Leadership Council will meet again in the fall.