The Big East Conference named John Marinatto commissioner Wednesday. Marinatto, senior associate commissioner at the Big East, will replace Mike Tranghese.

Tranghese will retire at the end of the 2008-09 academic year, a decision he announced in June 2008. Marinatto will be the third Big East commissioner when he takes over on July 1, 2009.

Marinatto has been with the Big East since 2002. Before moving to the conference office, he worked at Providence College for many years, serving in the alumni and development office and as sports information director and athletics director.

Marinatto’s NCAA service includes stints on the former Division I Management Council and the Business and Finance Cabinet. He is currently the Big East’s representative to the Leadership Council.

“The presidents and chancellors are confident that under John’s leadership the Big East will continue its trajectory of excellence and success so well laid-down by Mike Tranghese and Dave Gavitt,” said Dick McCormick, Rutgers president and chair of the Big East presidents group.

The Executive Committee of the Big East presidents group served as a search committee, led by Mark Nordenberg, chancellor at Pittsburgh and Jack DeGioia, president at Georgetown.

“John Marinatto exceeded our already high expectations at every stage of the process,” Nordenberg said. “John was the unanimous choice of the presidents and chancellors of the Big East Conference. … We are very pleased that John is going to succeed Michael in this very important position.”

Marinatto holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Providence.