Big East Associate Commissioner for men’s basketball Daniel Gavitt expressed support for Bernie Fine on Friday in response to the allegations of molestation currently surrounding the Syracuse associate head coach.

‘I’ve known Bernie Fine for almost 25 years, and I can’t believe these allegations,’ Gavitt said. ‘He has my personal support.’

Gavitt, the son of inaugural Big East Commissioner Dave Gavitt, was an assistant coach at Providence beginning in 1988. He was on the opposing bench from Fine for six years, and he said the two have stayed in touch since then.

And during that time, Gavitt said, there has been no behavior representative of a child molester.

‘There would be no indication in any way, shape or form that I could believe these allegations,’ Gavitt said.

Fine is in his 35th season as an assistant coach for Syracuse. He’s been a member of head coach Jim Boeheim’s staff since before the Big East conference formed in 1979.

The Big East was the brainchild of Dave Gavitt, and Syracuse was one of its founding members. Daniel Gavitt grew up with the conference, since his father was commissioner, and became the associate commissioner for men’s basketball in the summer of 2005.

He had worked previously as the athletic director for Bryant University after spending six years with the Friars.

Gavitt was shocked to hear the allegations against Fine, saying he hasn’t seen any basis for them in his friendship with the coach.

‘Obviously they’re serious allegations, and no one would condone things that aren’t appropriate or legal,’ Gavitt said. ‘But it’s equally as serious to allege things that aren’t true.’

mjcohe02@syr.edu

Published on November 17, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Michael: mjcohe02@syr.edu | @Michael_Cohen13