Death of NCAA president Myles Brand noted at college football games across the country

College football pauses to remember Myles Brand

College football paused Saturday to remember Myles Brand, the first university president to lead the NCAA.

Moments of silence were observed at games across the country, the first weekend of college football since Brand died of pancreatic cancer Wednesday at 67. He was the NCAA’s first chief executive to die in office.

At Notre Dame, the public address announcer reminded fans that the university awarded Brand an honorary degree in May, citing his “extraordinary leadership” in ensuring the academic experience for athletes while “emphasizing the educational value” of college sports.”

Brand was too ill to attend the commencement, where President Barack Obama was the featured speaker.

“With his passing, the university and all of collegiate athletics has lost a valued colleague, leader and friend,” public address announcer Mike Collins said.

The silent tributes for the former Indiana University president began Thursday night in Miami when the Hurricanes played Georgia Tech. Among the other acknowledgments Saturday came at games at Clemson, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and Washington.