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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Emmert new NCAA president

Colleges: University of Washington president Mark A. Emmert became the NCAA’s new chief executive on Tuesday, ending the search that began in November.

Emmert succeeds Myles Brand, who died last September. Jim Isch has served as interim president since Sept. 22 and will continue to do so for the next several months.

Emmert will begin his duties Nov. 1. NCAA officials said Emmert was given a five-year contract.

Stating he had no “revolutionary” reforms to push, Emmert said he hoped to continue striving for academic accountability and also help address the rising cost of athletics.

“We want to continue the reforms that Myles and his colleagues got started,” Emmert said. “I do not have specific academic reform I’ll be championing in the next 30 days. … I don’t foresee revolutionary change in academic … it’s an evolution (from) where we are now.”

Asked about pushing for a BCS football playoff system, Emmert said that decision was something the NCAA would stay out of and leave to university presidents.

“We’ll join in those conversations,” he said. “I do not expect the NCAA to lead in that charge.”

Emmert was considered a surprise choice. The field of candidates also included Hartford president Walter Harrison, Georgia president Michael Adams and NCAA executive Bernard Franklin. Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh reportedly also was considered.

Emmert became Washington’s 30th president in June 2004. He came to Seattle from LSU, where he was chancellor.

Emmert, a native of Fife, Wash., has been a master at building alumni support and fundraising. During his tenure, the university completed its most successful fundraising campaign, raising more than $2.68 billion.

From wire reports

Chiefs pick 17th in bantam draft

Hockey: The Spokane Chiefs will pick 17th in Thursday’s Western Hockey League Bantam Draft.

The draft is for 1995-born players who live in the western half of the United States and Canada. Prince George has the first pick.

Of the 24 players on Spokane’s playoff roster, 14 were draft picks, nine by the Chiefs. That includes four first-rounders: Mitch Holmberg (2008), Jared Cowen (2006), Mitch Wahl (2005) and Kyle Beach (Everett 2005).