Stu Jackson to Big East Front Office

[TheInfoMan]

www.golocalprov.com/sports/former-friar-new-hire-for-big-east-conference

A former Providence College basketball coach has returned to the Big East Conference - in a big way.

Val Ackerman, Commissioner of the Big East Conference, Tuesday announced the appointment of Stu Jackson as Senior Associate Commissioner, Men’s Basketball. Jackson will formally join the conference at its New York City headquarters on July 28th. Jackson began his coaching career by serving as a graduate assistant under Rick Pitino at PC in 1985, and stayed with the Friars as an assistant through their Final Four season in 1987.

In his role as Senior Associate Commissioner of Men’s Basketball for the Big East, Jackson will oversee men's basketball operations and strategic planning.

[pc1971]

Got an excellent resume and PC ties.

Good move for the BE.

[thewalk]

Thank god....not my first choice but someone with basketball connections....

Val can run everything else....

[pc1971]

Jul 15, 2014 14:51:36 GMT -5 thewalk said:

Thank god....not my first choice but someone with basketball connections....

Val can run everything else....

Who was your first choice Walk?

Walk?

[thewalk]

Dan Gavitt is choice #1....but taking him out of the equation and not having someone specific in mind, i would have preferred someone with more of a college slant.....i'm sure stu has collegiate connections, but he's been out of the college landscape for a long time....Val's wnba focus was a major concern of mine (before we saw her in action...it's now concern #10)....Stu is a step in the right direction....

[pc1971]

Thanks Walk.

[thumper]

Jul 15, 2014 15:53:10 GMT -5 thewalk said:

Dan Gavitt is choice #1....but taking him out of the equation and not having someone specific in mind, i would have preferred someone with more of a college slant.....i'm sure stu has collegiate connections, but he's been out of the college landscape for a long time....Val's wnba focus was a major concern of mine (before we saw her in action...it's now concern #10)....Stu is a step in the right direction....

Val told me herself that she was keeping the top BE job warm for Danny.

PIZZA, SODA, GRINDERS!!!

[wtm97]

Solid pick IMO thinking his long standing connections to the NBA is a plus...now that the initial launch year is over, the challenges for credibility remain and having a pedigreed person like Jackson is a wise decision to enhance the perception of the new Big East as a Major Conference.

“The sport of basketball is my lifelong passion, and I am honored to join Val and the Big East basketball management team as the conference looks to the future,” Jackson said. “The Big East has one of the most storied histories in college basketball, and I am eager to contribute to its continued successes, especially during such a pivotal time in its evolution.”

The skeptical quibbling will continue by some and while this is a good choice, the only real way to mute that cackle is to win successfully and deeply into the Tourney. Let's see if there is much media reaction to follow...