The way Andrew Brandt sees it, the recently announced transfer of Vince Nicastro from athletic director in the Villanova University Athletic Department to associate director of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law at Villanova University Law School completes an all-star team of sports law professors.
Brandt, the Center’s executive director, told Sports Litigation Alert that Nicastro “will eventually teach classes about NCAA issues and intercollegiate sports.”
The time frame for when those classes will begin is undetermined. However, Brandt said the center “will be adding classes in this area due largely to bringing on his expertise. This will complement my practical knowledge on the professional side, and our other staff, including former Eagles and Browns president, Joe Banner.”
The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, Villanova University President said in a press release that the school is “extremely fortunate that Vince will remain here at Villanova, sharing his experience and talents with our Law School. The Moorad Center is gaining a true leader, whose breadth of knowledge in the sports arena will continue to benefit Villanova University.”
The release expanded on Brandt’s comments, noting that “in addition to managing the day-to-day operation of the Center, Nicastro will teach and lecture at the Law School in areas related to sports business and law, and will serve as a spokesperson with particular expertise in the area of intercollegiate athletics.” Employing his extensive network, Nicastro will cultivate partnerships for the Moorad Center, plan and implement programs and events–including the annual Moorad Sports Law Symposium–as well as develop additional internship opportunities for students.
Meanwhile, Nicastro, meanwhile, said his tenure as AD had been “a genuine privilege. … I am excited to take on this new role at Villanova that will enable me to share my knowledge and experience with Villanova Law students. I look forward to working closely with Dean Gotanda and Andrew Brandt at the Law School.”
During his 15 years as Villanova’s Director of Athletics, Nicastro has led the Department through an impressive period of growth and success athletically, academically and administratively. He spearheaded the advancement of the Athletic Department and its infrastructure, and played a key role in the creation of the new BIG EAST Conference. Athletically, the Villanova men’s basketball program flourished during that time, appearing in 10 NCAA Tournaments and advancing to the 2009 NCAA Final Four, as well as two Elite 8 and four Sweet 16 appearances. Villanova won three National Championships (football-2009; women’s cross country-2009, 2010) and 30 conference team titles during Nicastro’s tenure. In the classroom, Villanova’s student-athletes have consistently ranked among the nation’s elite. This year, 12 Villanova teams were recognized by the NCAA for their academic success, placing Villanova on an exclusive list of only 19 schools nationwide to have accomplished such a feat.
Nicastro was a leader on the conference and national level as well, serving on key BIG EAST and NCAA committees. He most recently was a member of the NCAA Division I Committee on Academic Performance, and served as chair of the BIG EAST Conference Finance Committee, the BIG EAST Conference Athletic Directors Executive Committee, and the BIG EAST Conference Championships and Competition Committee.
