Nov. 2, 2009

DeLALB, Ill. - from Northern Star Online

By CHARLES COLEMAN

Northern Illinois University athletics will join universities across the nation on Nov. 7 in hosting "Miles for Myles."

The 10 a.m. run/walk for cancer awareness will honor Myles Brand, the NCAA President who died of pancreatic cancer Sept. 16.

The NCAA, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics are teaming with the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) on the initiative honoring Brand.

"This walk was designed to perpetuate the legacy of the late Myles Brand," said Robert Collins, deputy director of NIU athletics. "This walk will also carry on with his fight against pancreatic cancer."

Miles for Myles was chosen to be a three-mile walk to signify the three divisions of NCAA athletics. Each person that attends or participates in the run/walk is required to donate $1 for every mile. The proceeds will go to the NABC's Coaches vs. Cancer program, Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund and Myles Brand Endowed Chair in Cancer Research at the Indiana University School for Medicine.

The run/walk, Collins said, encourages all NIU athletic family, those available on campus, university-wide employers and friends of athletics to participate.

The run/walk will begin at the NIU Track and Field Complex, located east of the Convocation Center on Stadium Drive West. Registration will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the NIU Track and Field concession area. There will also be free parking at the Convocation Center.

Kayra Thompson, freshman nursing major and NIU women's soccer player, plans on participating.

"Being that I am involved in the NIU athletics, I think that it is significant that we honor Myles Brand for what he has done for collegiate sports," Thompson said. "We are sometimes required to do community service, but this will be one that I will enjoy."