Walter Byers
Encyclopedia
Walter Byers was the first executive director
of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
. He served from 1951 to 1988. He also helped start the United States Basketball Writers Association
in 1956. The NCAA Walter Byers Scholarship
is named in his honor.
Byers expanded the NCAA men's basketball tournament in 1951 to 16 teams, the first step in expanding the tournament to the spectacle it is today. The number of teams fluctuated over the next few decades, but never went below 16 again and eventually expanded further under Byers' leadership. The tournament previously had just eight teams. WFAN
New York's Mike Francesa
referred to him as an "Oz-like" figure who ran the NCAA with ultimate control. Author of Unsportmanlike Conduct.
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
. He served from 1951 to 1988. He also helped start the United States Basketball Writers Association
United States Basketball Writers Association
The United States Basketball Writers Association was founded in 1956 by Walter Byers and serves the interests of journalists who cover college basketball.-Scholarships:...
in 1956. The NCAA Walter Byers Scholarship
Walter Byers Scholarship
The Walter Byers Scholar program is a scholarship program that recognizes the top male and female scholar-athlete in NCAA sports and that is awarded annually by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . It is considered to be the NCAA's highest academic award...
is named in his honor.
Byers expanded the NCAA men's basketball tournament in 1951 to 16 teams, the first step in expanding the tournament to the spectacle it is today. The number of teams fluctuated over the next few decades, but never went below 16 again and eventually expanded further under Byers' leadership. The tournament previously had just eight teams. WFAN
WFAN
WFAN , also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a radio station in New York City. The station broadcasts on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio...
New York's Mike Francesa
Mike Francesa
Michael Patrick "Mike" Francesa, Jr. is an American radio talk show host and television commentator. He is primarily known in his former role co-hosting the popular Mike and the Mad Dog show on WFAN in New York City...
referred to him as an "Oz-like" figure who ran the NCAA with ultimate control. Author of Unsportmanlike Conduct.