Big East commissioner stepping down

Providence, R.I. -- Big East Conference Commissioner Mike Tranghese has decided to step down effective June 30, 2009, he announced Thursday.

Tranghese -- who was the conference's first hire in 1979 -- made the announcement at Big East headquarters in Providence, R.I.

Shortly after he was named to succeed the league's first commissioner, Dave

Gavitt, Tranghese directed and oversaw the creation of Big East football starting in 1991.

Later, he pulled together Miami-Florida, Virginia Tech, Syracuse and Boston College and the conference quickly gained recognition and entry into the Bowl Championship Series.

"I have been privileged to work with outstanding presidents and athletic directors for nearly 30 years," he said in a statement. "Looking back to when Dave Gavitt created the conference, it is truly amazing how far we have come."
He told the Boston Globe he decided to announce his departure a year in advance because he wants to give Big East officials time to find a replacement to guide the conference into the next decade.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.