Six-Member Hall of Fame Highlights CoSIDA's 2019 Special Award Honorees
John Paquette – Big East Conference, Senior Associate Commissioner, Sports Media Relations
The voice of the Big East Conference.
Since 1990, Paquette has served as the unwavering voice of the Big East Conference through its numerous phases, transitions and restructurings. He serves as the media coordinator for 23 conference tournaments, administering at times to more than 600 on-site media representatives annually at Madison Square Garden for annual BIG EAST men's basketball tournament.
Paquette began his career as the sports information director at Wagner College before serving as SID at St. Peter’s (NJ), then as Assistant Commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and then as Assistant Athletic Director/SID at Seton Hall. Paquette joined the BIG EAST in 1990 as Mike Tranghese's first hire as commissioner, coming to the conference office as its top communications director after serving four years at league member Seton Hall.
He also served on CoSIDA’s board of directors from 2009-12. Paquette has attended more than 30 CoSIDA conventions and served on numerous panels as a presenter and moderator over the years.
Paquette has been honored twice before by CoSIDA. He was recognized as the 2007 Arch Ward winner for outstanding service to the profession, and then again in 2014 with the Bill Esposito Backbone Award. The Esposito Award is presented to an individual for sound judgment, commitment and courage in helping guide an organization through difficult PR situations.
Among other honors, Paquette received the 2009 Katha Quinn Award from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and the 2013 Distinguished Service Award by the New York Metropolitan Basketball Writers.
He graduated from Marquette University in 1978 with a bachelor of arts in journalism.