Starting international, the Under-21 (U-21) tournament got under way with Canada coming back to beat Australia. Kendall had 13 points, but reportedly “struggled from the field.” Canada faces Greece tonight. No box score has been located, and the game was witnessed by crowds in the hundreds.
The Big East has created a new position called Associate Commissioner for men’s basketball. Kind of makes sense with 16 teams in basketball. You have to imagine they may need a little help. This is what the position will do.
In his new role, he will serve as the league’s primary basketball administrator and contact. He will represent the conference on a day-to-day basis in the overall administration, management and control of the men’s basketball programs. Additionally, he will serve as the office liaison with all internal basketball constituencies including institutional administrators, coaching staffs and game officials.
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Gavitt will also be at the point in developing and cultivating relationships with all television and sponsor partners, providing oversight and administrative direction to the Basketball Supervisor of Officials and assisting with the basketball television/scheduling processes. Further, he will also be asked periodically to assist with basketball media relations, NCAA and league compliance matters, and other conference related functions.
To fill the position, they hired the AD from Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. The Bryant Bulldogs are Division II. His name, Dan Gavitt. According to this bio, he barely leaves the state of Rhode Island, Oh, and Dan Gavitt, just happens to be the son of the first BE commish, and the guy who first hired Mike Tranghese.
Think I’m kidding about not venturing far from Rhode Island? He was the AD for 6 years. Here’s the rest:
Before assuming his position at Bryant, Gavitt had established himself as a prominent figure on the Rhode Island and New England sports scenes. He was the president and owner of Craigville Sports Associates, Inc., a sports marketing and event management firm based in Providence, from 1995 to 1998 and enjoyed a distinguished career in intercollegiate athletics as a coach.
Gavitt also spent six seasons as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Providence College, working with current University of Texas head coach Rick Barnes. During that time the Friars amassed a record of 108-76, qualified for three NCAA tournaments, made two appearances in the NIT and won a Big East championship while maintaining a perfect graduation rate.
Dan earned an MBA from Providence in 1995 after accepting a bachelor’s degree in history from Dartmouth College in 1988.
In addition to his work with Bryant University, Gavitt also serves on the board of trustees at the Rhode Island Sports Council and Providence Country Day School. Gavitt serves as chair of the NCAA Division II Northeast Region baseball committee and is a member of the national committee for that sport as well.
I wonder if he risks bursting into flames if he physically leaves the state?
