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 yesterday, less than a week after the NCAA president died of pancreatic cancer at age 67.

Isch, 59, 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."

AUTO RACING

BUSCH PENALIZED

Kyle Busch has been docked 25 points and his crew chief fined $25,000 for failing post-race inspection at New Hampshire.

NASCAR fined Steve Addington because the left front of the No. 18 Toyota was too low after Sunday's race.

Team owner Joe Gibbs has also been docked 25 points.

Busch finished fifth at New Hampshire, and his car was automatically inspected by NASCAR.

Even with the penalty, he holds the 13th spot in the Sprint Cup Series standings.

GOLF

THORPE IN TAX MESS

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 yesterday in Orlando, Fla. He faces a maximum of two years in prison and a $4.1 million fine when he is sentenced.

Thorpe was charged in February with seven counts of failing to pay federal taxes on income he earned in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

His attorney, Mark Horwitz, says Thorpe wants to move on with his life. The attorney had argued previously that Thorpe did not willfully try to break the law.

SAILING

ORACLE STILL HAS TIME

A New York judge has denied a motion by America's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland to disqualify challenger BMW Oracle Racing because the U.S.-based syndicate hasn't provided a measurement certificate for its 90-foot trimaran.

Justice Shirley Kornreich of the Supreme Court of the State of New York said BMW Oracle Racing, owned by software tycoon Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp., must provide Alinghi with the final documentation at least two weeks before Feb. 8. That's the start date for the best-of-3 showdown off Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.