Big East commissioner Tranghese to step down in 2009

Jun 5, 2008 - 5:27 PM PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (Ticker) -- The man responsible for making the Big East Conference true to its namesake has decided to step down.

Mike Tranghese, the commissioner of the Big East since 1990, announced Thursday that he will step down from his position effective June 30, 2009.

The league's first full-time employee when the Big East was formed in 1979, Tranghese has decided to move due to the current success of the league and his desire to do something else.

"I am stepping down at this point because I believe it is the right time," Tranghese said. "The Conference is in great shape and it will give my successor the best opportunity to be successful."

In his 11 years as commissioner, Tranghese was instrumental in building Big East basketball up to its current 16-team alignment, the largest in Division I.

Tranghese also helped create the Big East football conference, which started play in 1991 and was a charter member of the Bowl Championship Series.

But the sport that still makes the most impact in the Big East is men's basketball, which has yielded three national championship winners and four Final Four teams in the last 10 years.

"I believe our conference is undergoing an unprecedented period of success," Tranghese said. "Our basketball conference does not have to take a back seat to anyone and our football has progressed so quickly.

"Our Olympic sports are stronger than ever. And I believe everything is in place for the Big East to be even better in the future."

Along with his work with the Big East, Tranghese served as the lead administrator for the BCS for a two-year span.