Interim NCAA President James L. Isch told the NCAA staff  that they all should be committed to a better tomorrow for college athletics.

Isch, NCAA senior vice president for administration and chief financial officer, was introduced in his new role Tuesday morning, continuing on for NCAA President Myles Brand, who died September 16.

“What is the test here?,” Isch asked during a brief meeting with all national office personnel. “What is it we want to accomplish? We all have to commit to placing this organization in a better position than what we find it in today. Myles brought us miles and miles down that path.”

University of Georgia President Michael Adams, chair of the NCAA Executive Committee, emphasized Isch’s role as the Association’s chief financial officer as playing an important role in his selection. He emphasized that the choice was “not a housekeeping appointment” and noted that Isch was the unanimous selection of the Executive Committee’s Administrative Subcommittee. That group also includes Clemson University President James Barker, Metropolitan State College of Denver President Stephen Jordan and Christopher Newport University President Paul Trible.

 “If we don’t get the finances right,” Adams said, “then all of the other goals are jeopardized.”

Isch noted the recent death of Brand and said: “It was with a heavy heart that I said I would accept.”

As interim president, Isch told the staff that he would focus on an agenda similar to the three controlling goals that Brand outlined last year.

• Academic reform.
• Emphasis on the “student” element of “student-athlete.”
• Ensuring a strong financial base for the Association.

When Isch was first introduced and faced the staff, he said, “This is the first time it all comes together. This is an awesome responsibility.”

Isch still found time for his usual self-effacing humor.

After being introduced by Adams, Isch said: “I said, ‘Whoa, wait a minute, Mike. Does this mean that 499 other members of the national office have turned you down?”

That clearly wasn’t the case, although Adams did note that a number of other people in the room would have been up to the task.

He praised Brand’s work in developing the staff and noted that a number of other staff leaders would have been qualified to assume the role of interim president. He cited the contributions of Brand’s President’s Cabinet (primarily vice presidents) and said he appreciated their work, commitment and leadership, especially over the last nine months.

He also noted the Executive Committee’s “united commitment” to keeping the Association moving forward.