Oct. 6, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- - As a tribute to Myles Brand, the NCAA president who died on Sept. 16 as a result of pancreatic cancer, the National Association of Basketball Coaches has created a MILES for MYLES initiative to be conducted on college campuses across the nation on Saturday, Nov. 7, or Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Partners in this initiative are the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the NCAA®.

The NABC is asking that all colleges and universities across the nation, especially those from NCAA® Divisions I, II and III, participate in the MILES for MYLES event. The event is a three mile (one mile for each NCAA Division) run/walk on campus to raise awareness and funds to benefit pancreatic cancer research. All proceeds will be distributed among the NABC Coaches vs. Cancer® partnership with the American Cancer Society; the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund®; and The Myles Brand Endowed Chair for Cancer Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

"In developing this initiative, we were hopeful that this would be a show of solidarity for Myles as he valiantly fought cancer. We now hope that Miles for Myles will help raise funds for cancer research, but will also preserve the legacy of a man who was immensely fair, listened to all issues, and was a compassionate leader. This was someone who really cared about student athletes and their academics," said NABC Executive Director Jim Haney. "He had a keen interest in men's basketball and was instrumental in helping the game grow. Myles engaged our coaches and student athletes, was a great listener, and built a platform for the future."

"We encourage all colleges and universities across America to join our effort and conduct a MILES for MYLES event on Nov. 7," said Haney.

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