INDIANAPOLIS — NCAA President Mark Emmert says he is willing to help colleges and universities do a better job protecting minors on campus.

In the wake of two child sex-abuse allegation cases at schools in the past month, the former University of Washington president said Monday he has contacted U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan so he can advise leaders at colleges about the best practices in dealing with ball boys, ball girls and students who attend summer camps.

"We're looking into that right now," Emmert told The Associated Press.

Emmert did not provide specifics on what those guidelines may include, how extensive they could be or when they might be completed. He wants to find out if there is a pervasive culture within athletic departments that could lead to cover-ups of criminal conduct.

"When you have a veil of secrecy, you have the potential for abusive behavior whether it's in the Catholic Church, a school or whatever, and that applies to all of us, not just the NCAA," Emmert said.

After a grand-jury report accused former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky of abusing eight boys over a 15-year period, university trustees fired legendary football coach Joe Paterno and school President Graham Spanier.

Last week, after three men accused Bernie Fine of molesting them, Syracuse fired the longtime assistant basketball coach. Federal authorities are investigating, but no charges have been filed.

Notes

• Paterno had business ties with board members of The Second Mile, the charity founded by Sandusky, according to the publication The Daily.

• Court records show federal investigators were looking for pornography that could be used "to sexually arouse or groom young males" for sex when they searched the home, office and locker of Fine.

• A man who accused Fine of molesting him admitted he sexually abused a boy in Maine.

Zach Tomaselli, 23, said he sexually abused the boy when the victim was 13 and 14 years old.