His verbal firewall reflected growing heat on the NCAA, which has been criticized for matters ranging from its inquiry into UCLA basketball recruit Shabazz Muhammad to its unprecedented punishment of Penn State football in the wake of criminal charges against Jerry Sandusky.

WSJ: Emmert: NCAA Messed Up on Miami Inquiry

Such changes could affect how much heat is reflected and absorbed by the ice pack, which could, in turn, have global implications.

CNN: Nuclear sub dives under the ice to explore climate change