January 8, 2012

The NCAA's New Hammer

Scandals prompt calls for change, but president faces pushback

The NCAA's New Leader Goes on the Offensive 1

Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP Images

Mark A. Emmert is becoming known as a decisive, efficient leader who intends to speed up the pace of reform in college sports.

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close The NCAA's New Leader Goes on the Offensive 1

Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP Images

Mark A. Emmert is becoming known as a decisive, efficient leader who intends to speed up the pace of reform in college sports.

By Brad Wolverton

Mark A. Emmert was in his fourth-floor office at the NCAA's Indianapolis headquarters last June when an aide summoned him three floors down. There, a group including college presidents and conference commissioners was discussing plans to strip NCAA tournament revenue from men's basketball teams with poor academic records.

James E. Delany, commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, and Michael L. Slive, head of the Southeastern Conference, had floated an idea: Instead of just taking away