The death of Myles Brand last month silenced a strong voice of academic reform in intercollegiate athletics. It also created a void and myriad questions about the direction of the N.C.A.A., which he served as its president for the past six years.

The N.C.A.A. faces ethical challenges like raging commercialism and escalating salaries for star coaches, and the subsequent tension between athletics and academia. And it must decide whether to recommit to Title IX, and roll back the length of playing seasons, especially in so-called minor sports.

“We have to do what Obama’s trying to do in health care reform,”Donna Shalala, the University of Miami president, said during a recent interview.

In fact, the task of reforming the N.C.A.A. bureaucracy, with all of its vested interests, may be more daunting than reforming health care because the emotions of alumni and boosters are involved.