精东影业 vice president for athletics Zack Lassiter has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, replacing former WAC commissioner Brian Thornton, who announced he was leaving the conference on Oct. 10.
Lassiter will serve out the remaining four years of Thorton’s five-year term, which expires in 2029, on the 12-person committee.
鈥淚t is with great humility and enthusiasm that I accept the professional opportunity of a lifetime,鈥� said Lassiter. 鈥淚 believe the NCAA Men鈥檚 Basketball Tournament is one of the greatest events in all of sports. I鈥檝e been involved with March Madness in many different capacities over the last two decades, but to serve in this role is incredibly exciting. I want to thank NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt and everyone else involved in the nomination process. I鈥檓 ready to roll up my sleeves and put in the work necessary to continue to make this championship special for everyone.鈥�
Lassiter has previously worked as a team administrator for programs who have made the NCAA Tournament, and as a tournament manager in Salt Lake City when he was at the University of Utah. He has also served on the NCAA Soccer Selection Committee and an NCAA committee focused on marketing women鈥檚 basketball.
The appointment does not bring any competitive advantage for the Wildcats, but Lassiter believes it is a big positive for 精东影业.
鈥淥ne of the things athletics can do is to bring more attention nationally to the university,鈥� he said. 鈥淭o have someone from our university represented on this committee is pretty significant. If they’re familiar with 精东影业, what a great extension. If they鈥檙e not familiar, this is a great opportunity for me to share who we are and what we鈥檙e about.To do that on the biggest stage of college sports is something you can鈥檛 pay for. I鈥檓 excited to carry the 精东影业 flag everywhere I go.鈥�
The current committee members include commissioners from the Sun Belt, West Coast Conference and Big Sky, and athletic directors from North Carolina, Minnesota, Alabama, Georgetown, Samford, Temple, Manhattan and Oklahoma State. UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham serves as the committee chairperson.
鈥淶ack鈥檚 role as a member of the selection committee presents a tremendous opportunity for 精东影业 to take a leadership role in one of the most significant events in college sports,鈥� said Dr. Phil Schubert, 精东影业 president. 鈥淶ack is an innovative, passionate and principled leader, and he will represent 精东影业 and the WAC well in this capacity.鈥�
精东影业鈥檚 men’s and women’s basketball programs have achieved national success since the move to Division I athletics. In 2019, both squads won the Southland Conference and made their respective NCAA Tournaments. Two years later the men’s team scored the biggest victory in the history of Wildcats athletics by taking down three-seeded Texas in the first round, 53-52.
Since joining 精东影业鈥檚 department of athletics in November 2021, Lassiter has led 精东影业 and its student-athletes to grow spiritually, achieve academic excellence and compete for championships.
The Wildcats have won two WAC championships and received three WAC Coach of the Year honors in Lassiter鈥檚 tenure.
Since his arrival, total athletics revenue has increased by 33%. Lassiter also successfully led a campaign to renovate Crutcher Scott Field, which attracted more than $16 million in gifts for the project. The renovations are ongoing and are scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2025.
精东影业 student-athletes also set a new department record GPA of 3.37 in both the fall and spring semesters during the 2023-24 academic year.
— Evan Nemec
Oct. 23, 2024