Name: Vince Nicastro
Position: Big East Deputy Commissioner & COO
Where I’m from: Philadelphia
Where I call home: Philadelphia
Focusing on right now: With the Big East being a basketball-centric conference, this is the beginning of our most significant part of the year. I was at the Minnesota-Providence game on Monday night. There’s been a lot of other issues surrounding college basketball, and while we’re certainly focused on those, the competition in and of itself points us in the direction of all the things that are good about college basketball.
Best advice: Be authentic and comfortable in your own skin. Everyone has a different style -- not all styles are alike, but they can all be effective.
Exec I admire: IMG College Founder BEN SUTTON, for what he’s accomplished and how he’s done it. He has a terrific entrepreneurial spirit and a real appreciation for the value of college sports. Now that he’s back in the game so to speak, I’m looking forward to his next act.
Talking tech: The thing that I probably use the most, and it’s primarily for information gathering, is Twitter. It’s become for me the sort of go-to place for real-time information for things not just related to our business, but things related to the world at-large.
Must-have music: If I revert to anything, classic rock is probably in my wheelhouse. But I would say over time, my tastes have broadened where at any point on my radio I’ll have some jazz or country music, which I’ve more recently developed an appreciation for. I also have to mention JIMMY BUFFETT, which happened to be who my wife and I saw on our first date.
First thing in the morning: I get up pretty early because most days I’m on the train going from Philly to New York. So it’s either an early workout or I grab my phone and check in on email and other things.
Food for thought: I live in Philadelphia and am in New York many days, so you’ve got two cities that have great food scenes. But because of my schedule, the meal that I probably eat most often during the week is a PB&J with chocolate milk. I get home late, I’ve just worked out and I don’t want to have a full meal. It’s easy and it’s a great recovery meal.
How I unwind: Mostly through exercise. I try to get some form of workout in almost every day. It’s a challenge sometimes with a long commute and then my other travel, but it’s really important not only for the physical benefits that it brings, but also the emotional/spiritual benefits.
Day in the life: When I’m in New York, I’m up early for a 90-minute train ride from Philly. I try to get the day started on the train with some level of productivity. Then in the office I’m working with our staff trying to best position the Big East in every way possible. And then a train ride home and a stop at the gym. Most times I’ll be home between 9:00-10:00pm ET.
