Dan Gavitt would only leave the Big East Conference for one job in college basketball.
And now he has it.
Gavitt has been hired as vice president of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and will give up his position as the Big East associate commissioner for basketball.
“I’m excited about it,” Gavitt told SNY.tv in his first interview since taking the position. “It’s the only job in college basketball that I would consider leaving the Big East for. The Big East is just a big part of my life, but it’s a chance to run the tournament, the Final Four, it’s really a tremendous opportunity.”
Gavitt effectively replaces Greg Shaheen, who previously ran the NCAA Tournament as well as commercial marketing.
Gavitt is the son of the late Dave Gavitt, the Hall of Fame Big East founder and former commissioner. He will report to NCAA executive vice president Mark Lewis.
“We haven’t worked out a start date,” Gavitt said. “I’ve got to finish up some work for the Big East…but I would imagine it would be sometime in August [that he starts].”
In addition to planning for and running the 2013 Final Four in Atlanta, Gavitt will run the Division 2 and 3 championship games, also in Atlanta.
“That will be a little something different that needs to be organized and worked through,” he said.
Former Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese told ESPN.com he supported the move.
“It is great for Dan, for the NCAA and college basketball,” Tranghese said. “He is really excited about it. The basketball committee wanted someone with strong basketball ties, and he is the right person.”
