NCAA President Myles Brand passed away today after a nearly year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Brand had served as NCAA president since January 2003 and had led the Association through key initiatives including academic reform, increased emphasis on presidential leadership and broad discussions on fiscal issues in college athletics. Brand was 67.

“Myles Brand was a dear friend and a great academic leader. He was a tireless advocate for the student-athlete,” said Michael Adams, president of the University of Georgia and chair of the NCAA Executive Committee. “Indeed, he worked to ensure that the student was first in the student-athlete model. He will be greatly missed.”

The Executive Committee has the responsibility for conducting a search for President Brand’s successor. Senior NCAA staff will continue the operations of the national office until the Executive Committee makes a determination on interim leadership.