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QUEENS, N.Y. (June 2, 2025) – St. John’s University President Brian J. Shanley, O.P. has been named the Chair of the BIG EAST Conference Boards of Directors, as announced by the league office on Monday.
Shanley was elected to the position last week at the BIG EAST’s Board of Directors meeting in New York City. The BIG EAST Board of Directors is comprised of the presidents who represent the league’s 11 member institutions. Shanley will begin his two-year term on June 30, 2025, as he succeeds Creighton University President Daniel S. Hendrickson, S.J., Ph.D.
“I am grateful and excited to serve as Chair of the BIG EAST Board of Directors and build on the accomplishments of my predecessor, Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, S.J., Ph.D,” Shanley said. “These are challenging and exciting times in the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics. With the rich BIG EAST history, a global brand, and our proven record as a competitive and visionary conference, there are only growth opportunities for our basketball-centric conference now and in the future.”
Shanley began his tenure as the 18th President of St. John’s in 2021 and is currently in his fifth academic year leading the University. The Warwick, R.I., native additionally serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) and the Commission for Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) in New York.
"We look forward to working with Father Shanley in his capacity as newly elected Chair of the BIG EAST Board of Directors, a leadership role for which he's perfectly suited," said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. "His decades-long experience in higher education, his acute understanding of the values of the conference and our schools, and his commitment to continued BIG EAST success in the sport of basketball will be invaluable as we navigate the shifting terrain in our operating environment."
Prior to St. John’s, Father Shanley spent 15 years as the longest tenured President of Providence College and holds 20 years of leadership experience that has helped elevate the BIG EAST Conference to new heights.
“We’re thrilled to have President Shanley’s leadership and experience representing St. John’s University as the Chair of the BIG EAST Boards of Directors,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull. “Father Shanley’s passion for the conference and his wealth of knowledge during his tenures at St. John’s and Providence will help propel the league forward into a new era of collegiate athletics.”
The BIG EAST concluded their annual spring meetings in Ponte Vedra, Fla. on May 21, as the conference’s league representatives, athletic directors, administrators met alongside the head men’s and women’s basketball coaches for three days. In addition to selecting the new Chair of the BIG EAST Board of Directors, the league’s presidents met on a variety of topics, including the House settlement, NCAA governance, future television and digital coverage plans, and strategies to maintain the conference’s continuing national successes in the sport of basketball.
