Indianapolis ? NCAA president Myles Brand, who while Indiana University president fired basketball coach Bob Knight, died Wednesday afternoon from pancreatic cancer. He was 67.

As the first former university president ever to run college sports’ largest governing body, Brand worked to change the perception that wins supersede academics in college sports.

He broke the news that he had cancer in January at the NCAA convention and continued to run the organization’s day-to-day operations, despite undergoing treatment. The NCAA announced his death. Officials were not ready to announce who would replace Brand or when they may begin searching for a successor.

Brand gained national attention in May 2000 when he put Knight on a zero-tolerance policy after a former player alleged the hugely successful but hot-headed coach had choked him during a practice years earlier.

Four months after that announcement, freshman Kent Harvey accused Knight of grabbing him, and Brand did what fans considered unthinkable — firing the coach who won three national championships in Bloomington.

In October 2002, Brand was hired to lead the NCAA.

Kansas University athletic director Lew Perkins said college athletics on Wednesday lost “an outstanding academic leader.”

Former KU chancellor Robert Hemenway served as chair of the NCAA Div. I Board of Directors during Brand’s tenure.

“Myles was completely committed to the ideal of the student-athlete and was willing to make changes to support that commitment. I can’t say enough about the courage and dignity he and his wife Peggy displayed during his illness. College athletics will miss him,” Hemenway said.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Pitt guard out two months

Pittsburgh — Pitt senior guard Jermaine Dixon has undergone bone graft surgery on his broken right foot and is expected to be out about two months.

ESPN marathon set

Bristol, Conn. — ESPN’s second annual College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon — consecutive live college basketball games to celebrate the start of the season — will be highlighted by 12 live games in 24 consecutive hours on ESPN on Tuesday, Nov. 17. ESPN games are scheduled to tip off every two hours beginning with Cal State Fullerton at UCLA. Kansas vs. Memphis in St. Louis will be shown at 9 p.m. Nov. 17.

NFL

K.C.’s Cassel improving

Kansas City, Mo. — Matt Cassel appeared to be running more briskly in practice Wednesday morning, creating hope Kansas City’s No. 1 quarterback might start Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. Coach Todd Haley said Cassel, who injured his left knee in a preseason game Aug. 29 and sat out the season opener at Baltimore, would be listed as questionable. Cassel’s left knee was still braced, but the slight limp he had last week was not evident.

Chiefs add WR Long

Kansas City, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs, struggling to upgrade their receiver corps, have added former Arizona wideout Lance Long to the practice squad. The move came Wednesday, one day after they signed veteran free agent receiver Bobby Wade.

Long played in one game for Arizona in 2009 after spending the 2008 season on the Cardinals practice squad. The Chiefs released wide receiver Rodney Wright from the practice squad.

Jets, Mangini fined

Florham Park, N.J. — The NFL assessed $125,000 in fines to the New York Jets and former coach Eric Mangini on Wednesday for violating the league’s rules on injury reporting with former quarterback Brett Favre last season.

McNabb misses practice

Philadelphia — Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb did not practice Wednesday because of his cracked rib and it is still not known if he will play against New Orleans. “He’s making some progress,” coach Andy Reid said.

McKelvin mystery solved

Orhcard Park, N.Y. — Two 16-year-old males have admitted to defacing the lawn in front of the home of Buffalo Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin. Hamburg police Sgt. Thomas Best said Wednesday the two teens have admitted to spray-painting a message and an obscenity on the player’s lawn shortly after the Bills season-opening 25-24 loss at New England on Monday night.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

RB Okafor leaves Huskers

Lincoln, Neb. — Nebraska running back Collins Okafor has left the football program. Coach Bo Pelini announced the redshirt freshman’s departure Wednesday in a statement. Nebraska spokesman Keith Mann says Okafor decided to leave the team on his own, and there were not any disciplinary concerns with the Omaha native.

BASEBALL

Posada, Carlson suspended

New York — Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and Toronto pitcher Jesse Carlson each were suspended for three games and fined Wednesday by Major League Baseball for their roles in a bench-clearing brawl.

Yankees utilityman Shelley Duncan also was suspended for three games and appealed, delaying the start of any discipline. Toronto manager Cito Gaston said Carlson was fined $3,000 and that Blue Jays catcher Rod Barajas was docked $1,000. Posada was fined $2,500, and Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long and pitcher Edwar Ramirez also were fined.

Astros shut down Oswalt

Cincinnati — Roy Oswalt will miss the last couple weeks of the season after the Houston Astros decided to shut down their ace on Wednesday. Oswalt has been bothered by back and hip pain.

TENNIS

Federer to play in Davis

Genoa, Italy — Top-ranked Roger Federer arrived in Italy on Wednesday to play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup, two days after losing to Juan Martin del Potro in the U.S. Open final.