Ackerman to become new Big East Commissioner
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
There probably won't be a lot of pomp and circumstance over the news. But perhaps there should be.
As initially reported Tuesday, Val Ackerman, the first president of the WNBA, has agreed to accept the position as Big East commissioner.
“The Big East is incredibly fortunate to have Val Ackerman lead us into this exciting new chapter for our conference,” said Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President of Providence College. “Val is exactly what the Big East needs – she embodies the highest personal and professional values of the sports industry, and is a hard-charging and innovative leader who can shepherd the conference to continued success.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe 53-year-old Ackerman has a basketball-heavy resume that includes her position with the Women's National Basketball Association, from 1996 to 2005 before stepping down. Hired by David Stern, she was also a staff attorney for the NBA, according to ESPN, and served as the first female president of USA Basketball from 2005 to 2008. Ackerman is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame board of trustees.
A basketball player at the University of Virginia prior to getting a law degree at UCLA, Ackerman released a report earlier this month commissioned by the NCAA on the state of women’s basketball and possible changes the sport could make to improve popularity and efficiency.
“I am honored to be given this incredible opportunity to work in partnership with the ten world-class institutions that are marching ahead under the Big East banner," Ackerman said. "Our mission is simple – to continue and enhance the Big East’s legacy of intense competition, spirited rivalries and unparalleled achievement, not only in college basketball, but in all intercollegiate sports.”
“I congratulate the Big East for making such an inspired choice in Val Ackerman,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “I had the pleasure of working alongside Val for many years, including the period in which she transformed the WNBA from a mere concept into a thriving basketball league. Her experience and intelligence, along with a keen analytic ability, an intense work ethic and a winning management style will help steer the historic Big East Conference to even greater heights.”
Ackerman joins familiar company in Bernadette McGlade of the Atlantic-10 and Robin Harris, executive director of the Ivy League, as female conference commissioners.
Linda Bruno, a former associate commissioner within the Big East, was the first female commissioner of a major college conference, serving as head of the Atlantic-10 (URI's conference home) from 1994 to 2008 and replaced by McGlade. Carolyn Schlie Femovich has been commissioner of the Patriot League since 1999; Brenda Weare led the Northeast Conference (of which Bryant is a member) from 2006 until her death in 2009; in 2011, Amy Huchthausen (a former Big East intern) was named commissioner of America East; Robin Harris has led the Ivy League (home of Brown athletics) since 2009.
The presidents of the 10 Big East schools are responsible for the selection of the league commissioner. Providence, Georgetown, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Villanova, Marquette and DePaul are joined by Butler, Creighton and Xavier as official members of the new league configuration as of July 1.
