Despite rumors that Penn State President Graham Spanier is in consideration to replace the recently deceased National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) president, Spanier wrote in an e-mail Wednesday night he had no knowledge about speculation surrounding the search for a successor.
After NCAA President Myles Brand died of pancreatic cancer Wednesday afternoon, a USA Today article released Wednesday named Spanier
as a possible replacement for Brand.
Though the author of the USA Today article, Steve Wieberg, would not reveal his sources, he said they are members of the NCAA. Wieberg said he has heard such rumors about Spanier since Brand was diagnosed with cancer.
Wieburg said the NCAA is seeking out presidents of universities to fill the position, and Spanier has been active in the NCAA.
"This is not an indication that [Spanier] is interested, but that the NCAA is interested in him," Wieberg said.
University spokeswoman Jill Shockey said Spanier is unlikely to assume the position.
"President Spanier has repeatedly said he is committed to
Penn State and has no plan to leave the university," Shockey said.
Though she would not speculate why Spanier's name would be added to the list of possible successors, she said he has been a very active leader of both Penn State and higher education.
NCAA spokeswoman Renee King said there is no list of possible successors yet and anyone named thus far is purely speculation.
The NCAA does not know when the position will be filled, she said.
