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Ryan, first Presidents Commission chair, dies at age 81

John W. Ryan, former president of Indiana University and the original chair of the NCAA Presidents Commission, died Saturday in Bloomington, Ind., at age 81.

Ryan chaired the Presidents Commission from 1984-86, in many ways formally launching the era of presidential leadership in the NCAA.

The Commission, which was discontinued after the membership restructuring of 1997, strategically framed high-level issues to help the Association through the difficult period of the mid- to late-1980s. It was the first collection of presidential leaders to play an ongoing role in NCAA governance.

Ryan was regarded among Indiana’s greatest presidents, both during his tenure and afterward. He oversaw the creation of two regional campuses during his 16 years as president, which ended in 1987. His involvement with the university covered 50 years, school officials said.

Current Indiana President Michael McRobbie said in a statement that Ryan was “a visionary leader,” noting that he helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for IU after he retired in 1987.

“Indiana has lost a great citizen, and Indiana University has lost a large part of its proud history,” said Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.