Former Big Ten Commissioner WAYNE DUKE, a "driving force behind the expansion" of the NCAA Tournament during his 18 years leading the conference, has died at the age of 88, according to Jim O'Connell of the AP. Duke "had been in declining health." After "serving for 11 years" as assistant to WALTER BYERS, the first Exec Dir of the NCAA, Duke became Big Eight Commissioner in '63. He took over as Big Ten Commissioner in '71 and retired in '89. Current Big Ten Commissioner JIM DELANY said, "Wayne was a giant in the world of college athletics administration during times of great change." O'Connell noted Duke served on the NCAA men's basketball committee from '75-81 and "oversaw the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams." He was "in charge when the at-large berths were established and seeding began." Duke also was on the NCAA's basketball television negotiating committee and "had a role in the NCAA's first football TV contract" (AP, 3/29). ESPN's Jay Bilas tweeted, "RIP Wayne Duke. He was a mentor and great friend to me from our time together on an NCAA Committee on. A great man." Writer Ed Sherman noted Duke "had a huge impact on conference and college sports." Football writer Matt Smith wrote Duke had a "major influence on college sports and TV."
