Indianapolis ? James Isch wants to fulfill Myles Brand’s unfinished goals at the NCAA.

For now, that’s Isch’s job. He was named Brand’s interim replacement Tuesday, less than a week after the NCAA president died of pancreatic cancer at age 67.

Isch had been serving as the NCAA’s vice president for administration and chief financial officer, overseeing the budget for the premier governing body of college athletics.

“We will continue to focus on academic reform, the fiscal stability of our organization and, most importantly, continue to emphasize the student-athlete,” Isch said during a conference call with reporters. “Within the next few days, I will be reaching out to members of the athletic community and our staff as we chart our course.”

NCAA Executive Committee chairman Michael Adams said the decision was made Monday night. He gave no timetable for naming a new, full-time president.

But until then, Isch is in charge, and Adams does not expect the longtime NCAA executive to be merely a figurehead.

Isch joined the NCAA’s staff in 1998 after holding administrative posts at Arkansas, Kansas State and Montana State.

Over the past nine months, as Brand underwent cancer treatment, Isch was one of four members on the president’s cabinet who helped oversee the day-to-day tasks. The other three were Bernard Franklin, Greg Shaheen and Wally Renfro, all of whom hold vice president titles.

Isch, an Army veteran, earned a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State and a master’s from Boston University. He also has a doctorate degree in philosophy from Kansas State.

BOXING

Mayweather agrees to pay

Las Vegas — Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. agreed to pay $5.6 million in back taxes before the Internal Revenue Service was poised to take the money from his purse after his Saturday comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez. The IRS sent the Nevada Athletic Commission a levy notice on Sept. 4 ordering Mayweather’s unpaid taxes from 2007 to be deducted from his $10 million fight purse.

TENNIS

Henin to return next year

Brussels — Justine Henin will return to competitive tennis next year. The former top-ranked player made the announcement Tuesday, barely a week after fellow-Belgian Kim Clijsters capped her comeback from retirement by winning the U.S. Open.

“I want to come back in January,” she said live on Belgian TV.

Henin retired just over a year ago. But the 27-year-old she said she’s ready to compete for an eighth Grand Slam title. A series of injuries had helped force her retirement, but she admitted Tuesday that she missed the game too much. Henin retired in May 2008.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

SIU guard suspended

Carbondale, Ill. — Southern Illinois guard Ryan Hare has been suspended indefinitely after being charged with aggravated battery and criminal trespassing in connection with a weekend disturbance.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

WSU RB out for season

Spokane, Wash. — Washington State’s top running back will miss the rest of the season because of a leg injury. James Montgomery suffered the injury in last week’s overtime win over Southern Methodist.

BASEBALL

Clemens files appeal

Houston — Roger Clemens has filed an appeal of his dismissed defamation suit against Brian McNamee. Clemens filed a notice with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to review the decisions of U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison, who threw out most of Clemens’ case in February and dismissed the remainder of the suit Aug. 28.

Durham takes Triple-A title

Oklahoma City — Pinch runner Rashad Eldridge raced home on a wild pitch by Oneli Perez in the bottom of the 11th inning as the Durham Bulls beat the Memphis Redbirds, 5-4, on Tuesday night in the Triple-A championship game.

NFL

Patriots add LB Burgess

Baltimore — The New England Patriots have obtained linebacker Prescott Burgess from the Baltimore Ravens for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. Burgess was used primarily by the Ravens on special teams this season. He was picked in the sixth round of the 2007 draft and played in eight games as a rookie before spending last year on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

NBA

T’wolves waive Atkins

Minneapolis — The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived veteran point guard Chucky Atkins. Atkins was acquired in a trade with Oklahoma City in July.

Nuggets acquire White

Denver — The Denver Nuggets have acquired swingman James White from the Houston Rockets in exchange for the draft rights to forward Axel Hervelle, a 2005 pick who has yet to play in the NBA. White has an average of 5.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10 career games with San Antonio and Houston.

Mavs forward has surgery

Dallas — The Dallas Mavericks say forward Tim Thomas has had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. The procedure was done Tuesday by the team’s orthopedic surgeon, but a timetable has not been set for his return. Thomas was hurt while working out at his home in California.

Spurs, Bogans agree

San Antonio — Guard Keith Bogans is the latest newcomer to the San Antonio Spurs. Bogans’ agent, Michael Harrison, says he is set to sign a guaranteed one-year deal with the Spurs before training camp. San Antonio will be Bogan’s fifth team in seven seasons.

GOLF

Thorpe pleads guilty

Orlando, Fla. — Professional golfer Jim Thorpe has pleaded guilty to failing to pay more than $2 million in income taxes. The 60-year-old central Florida resident pleaded guilty to two counts on Tuesday. He faces a maximum of two years in prison and a $4.1 million fine when he is sentenced.