13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Tribute held for Myles Brand

Tribute held for Myles Brand

Emily Longnecker/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - More than a thousand friends and colleagues gathered at Conseco Fieldhouse Wednesday night in a star-studded tribute to the former president of IU and the NCAA, Myles Brand.

The family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Brand remembered him for a life well lived.

"You can see above me the signature of Dr. Brand. And I think it's a fitting metaphor for a man who left an undeniable signature on everything he touched," said CBS Broadcaster Jim Nantz, who served as the host of the evening's tribute.

The celebration of Brand's life at Conseco Field house included musical tributes from friend John Mellencamp along with video messages from Governor Mitch Daniels and Senators Evan Bayh and Dick Lugar.

Friends and colleagues recalled Brand's early years studying philosophy, then teaching it, as well as his time as president of IU.

"The impact he had was enormous and it was transformative and it was visionary," said current IU president Michael McRobbie.

"He was I am convinced a unique figure among educational leaders and we may never see another quite like him," said Professor Emeritus from The Ohio State University Marshall Swain.

Brand was remembered as the first president of the NCAA to come from academia rather than sports administration.

"Myles leadership made a difference everyday. He was an outstanding advocate for higher education, intercollegiate athletics and the well being of all student athletes," recalled University of Tennessee Women's Basketball Coach Pat Summit.

In another video tribute, Duke University's Coach Mike Krzyzewski applauded the way Brand fought his cancer.

"Although he couldn't beat it, he spit on it he said you can't, you're not going to change me in fact, I'm going to show you that I can do this to the best of my ability to the end," said Coach K.

Brand's son offered the final thoughts on his father's legacy to his family.

"You taught me life really is an adventure and more importantly you taught me what that means. It means making wise choices, taking calculated risks, not being afraid of failure and always, always acting in a responsible way," remembered Josh Brand.

Indiana University has found a way for Brand's legacy to carry on with The Myles Brand Chair in Cancer Research. It will be used to support a scientist who specializes in studying cancer and looking for cures.