ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 27, 1997 TAG: 9703270072
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOSTON GLOBE
The man who helped put the Big East on the map would be a compromise candidate to replace Gene Corrigan as commissioner.
Former Celtics CEO Dave Gavitt is in the mix to become ACC commissioner, according to several conference sources.
Gavitt, who heads the NCAA Foundation, primarily a fund-rasing wing of the NCAA, is viewed by many in the ACC as a compromise candidate in place of Virginia athletic director Terry Holland and North Carolina athletic director John Swofford.
``The problem the ACC is having is that neither Terry nor John can get the necessary votes right now,'' said one ACC source. ``Dave is viewed favorably by all sides.''
When contacted Tuesday, Gavitt said he did not consider himself a candidate.
``They just asked some questions,'' he said, ``but my impression was that it was more informational than anything else. I don't know what they're going to do.''
As the founder and first commissioner of the Big East, Gavitt has the credentials for the position, which will open in the summer when Gene Corrigan retires.
But whether Gavitt, the former Providence College basketball coach and athletic director, wants to uproot himself from Rhode Island and take on the full-time chores of a commissioner again is open to conjecture.
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB