Harvard Student-Athletes Honor Myles Brand with Three-Mile Walk

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.- On November 11, the Harvard Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) sponsored a three-mile walk as a tribute to Myles Brand, former President of the NCAA who passed away September 16 after battling pancreatic cancer. Over one hundred student-athletes, coaches, and trainers participated, including the entire wrestling team and coaching staff. The participants were asked to donate $3.00 each, one dollar for each mile they walked.

Each mile represented one of three charities for cancer research: Coaches vs. Cancer (National Association of Basketball Coaches), the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund and The Myles Brand Endowed Chair for Cancer Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

SAAC provided RedBones Barbeque for all participants, encouraging all Harvard athletes to come together for a great cause. Sophomore Caroline Kutler of the Harvard women's soccer team and junior Bret Voith of the Crimson men's water polo squad, the community service chairs of SAAC, headed the event and its success.

"As the NCAA president, Myles Brand worked to benefit the athletic and academic experiences of athletes all across the nation," said Kutler. "On Sept. 16th, he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer, a disease that affects thousands of people each year. Encouraging student athletes to participate in a walk in his honor, not only perpetuates his legacy of leadership, but also raises money and awareness for a deadly disease. The Harvard SAAC really enjoyed putting on this event, and despite the cold, had an amazing amount of support from many student-athletes."

Release courtesy Harvard Athletic Communications