Jamie Zaninovich, commissioner of the West Coast Conference, and LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva were appointed to the NCAA men’s basketball committee last week, beginning with the 2011-12 season. They shared a few thoughts with staff writer Michael Smith about joining the committee as part of a five-year commitment.
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| Zaninovich |
What influenced you to join the basketball committee?Zaninovich: I have been involved with college basketball my entire working life, and I have always admired the members and work of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. The opportunity to contribute in a leadership role to a game for which I have great passion is something I have always wanted to do. Being selected as a member of the committee has always represented one of those goals for which you strive but never realistically expect to achieve.
Alleva: The basketball tournament is the flagship event for the NCAA and the committee does very important work to protect and improve the event. Personally, it is a tremendous honor to be selected to serve on the committee.
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| Alleva |
How much extra time do you think you’ll have to commit to the committee?
Zaninovich: In short, a lot. You can’t serve this important a role within the NCAA governance structure without dedicating a significant amount of time and energy to helping “get it right.” The stakes are too high for a committee such as this to approach it any other way.
Alleva: I have been associated with people that have served in this capacity and know it takes a significant amount of time, but anything this important will take time and effort. It will be worth it.
How many TVs do you have at home and do you anticipate adding any?
Zaninovich: We currently have three televisions in our home, but my wife and I have already agreed that we need to go television shopping soon, so we will be looking to add a fourth!
Alleva: I have plenty of TVs, but I may need a better chair to sit in, as I will be watching more games.
