FILE — Stu Jackson, proper, vp of the USA Basketball Senior Males’s Nationwide Staff, poses with Philadelphia 76ers head coach Larry Brown, middle, after his official appointment as head coach for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Basketball staff in 2002. On Monday, March 6, 2023, Jackson was named the brand new commissioner of the WCC. Brad C Bower, Related Press
LAS VEGAS — As BYU departs the West Coast Convention this summer season to affix the Massive 12, the WCC has employed a brand new commissioner.
Stu Jackson was launched Monday morning throughout a information convention at Orleans Enviornment, web site of the WCC event, which continues Monday afternoon.
Jackson turns into the convention’s fifth full-time commissioner. He'll formally take over that function on April 24.
Jackson replaces Gloria Nevarez, who stepped right down to turn into the commissioner of the Mountain West Convention final fall. Nevarez served because the WCC commissioner for nearly 5 years.
For the previous 9 years, Jackson served as govt affiliate commissioner for the Massive East convention. He managed all males’s basketball operations, together with schedule optimization, NCAA Match advocacy, compliance, student-athlete programming and the Massive East event. Jackson additionally developed a basketball-specific strategic plan that helped the Massive East turn into one of many nation’s high basketball leagues.
The Massive East has averaged greater than 5 NCAA Match bids per season within the final 9 years.
Jackson expressed his gratitude for the chance to be part of the WCC.
”By our discussions, it turned clear we shared a dedication to construct upon our current customary of excellence for the student-athletes’ expertise, whereas specializing in innovation to propel the convention to new heights in school basketball and all WCC intercollegiate sports activities,” he stated.
One challenge the convention is dealing with is the potential for including a member to interchange BYU. With the Cougars leaving, the WCC may have 9 member faculties remaining.
Jackson has a wealth of expertise in skilled and school basketball.
Previous to his time on the Massive East, Jackson served within the NBA league workplace for greater than 13 years. Jackson was additionally named the primary president and normal supervisor of the NBA’s Vancouver Grizzlies, a place he served in from 1994 to 2000.
A 1978 graduate of Seattle College, Jackson was the top coach at Wisconsin from 1992 -94, main this system to its first NCAA Match berth in 47 years.
Jackson additionally was the top coach of the New York Knicks from 1987-91. At age 33, he turned the second-youngest coach of an NBA staff in league historical past.
“Stu Jackson possesses the imaginative and prescient and values that may proceed to raise the West Coast Convention and we're thrilled to welcome him because the WCC’s new commissioner,” stated Thayne McCulloh, president of Gonzaga College and chair of the WCC presidents’ council. “His wealth of management expertise and drive stood out with the search committee amongst a deep pool of candidates. Stu is the proper commissioner to guide the WCC throughout an vital time within the nationwide collegiate panorama.”