:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/1543603/20120310_tjg_aw8_630.0.jpg)
A television executive running the show and an NBA executive leading the basketball side of the conference. The Big East has gone big time in its hiring decisions recently. The league announced during the opening remarks of Big East media day that they have filled the void left by Dan Gavitt's resignation (to lead the NCAA tournament operations) in the Spring by hiring former NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations Paul Brazeau as the Senior Associate Commissioner for Men's Basketball.
Brazeau has served with the NBA for the past decade, overseeing NBA game operations, scheduling, player rules, conduct and discipline. He worked closely with league officials on policy issues as well and oversaw a staff of 0 league observers and five staff direct reports.
Prior to the NBA, he had extensive experience with the college game, serving as the head coach at the University of Hartford for eight seasons (1992-2000) and as an assistant coach at Ohio State (1987-92) and Boston College (1982-87).
“The BIG EAST is very excited to have Paul Brazeau join the conference as our Senior Associate Commissioner for Men’s Basketball,” said Aresco. “He has been one of the NBA’s top administrators for the past decade and we’re pleased he has decided to join the BIG EAST. Paul has outstanding credentials. He knows how to deal with many different constituencies and has been a college head coach and assistant coach for almost 20 years. I know our athletic directors and our coaches are going to enjoy working with him.”
“The BIG EAST has been the premier college basketball conference for over 30 years and it is poised to continue its high level of championship play into the future,” said Brazeau. “I am looking forward to working with the student-athletes, coaches and athletic department administrators of these great institutions as we build on the BIG EAST’s excellence.”
Brazeau will now become the lead administrator and contact for men’s basketball, representing the conference in overall administration, management and control of the men’s basketball programs. His role also includes working with Madison Square Garden on arrangements related to the Big East Men's Basketball Tournament operations. He will work with institutional administrators, coaching staffs and game officials, and work with television partners and sponsors (including basketball television scheduling).
A native of North Adams, Mass., Brazeau earned an undergraduate degree in economics from Boston College in 1981. He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Boston College in 1988.