Santa Clara, Calif. – During the 2011 West Coast Conference Basketball Media Day on Thursday, WCC Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich highlighted the league as one that is obtaining greater national exposure and respect. The WCC Basketball Tip-Off event was held at the YouTube headquarters.
"We've established ourselves as a national conference," said Zaninovich.
Exposure is a key element of the upcoming season, as the WCC has partnered with ESPN, and regional networks to deliver games to the public. According to Zaninovich, over 75 percent of the conference games will be televised during conference play this year.
"I think that will be a really great opportunity to showcase the strength of our basketball," said Zaninovich.
The WCC also announced a partnership with YouTube that will enable viewers to tune into the highly-regarded web site for streaming of the WCC Championships. The contract with YouTube will also carry over to other WCC sports as well.
"It's an opportunity for us to establish ourselves as an innovator, and take a leadership role in college athletics," said Zaninovich, adding that YouTube embraced the idea right from to the get go.
With newcomers Brigham Young University joining the conference, and many of the teams returning their backcourts, a competitive season is likely to ensue.
"I think we have a number of nationally-established programs, certainly building resumes towards a postseason," said Zaninovich.
The University of San Francisco will be returning all five of its starters, after a third place finish in the WCC last season. Kevin Foster and Evan Roquemore will be the familiar faces for the Broncos' starting backcourt.
"I'm seeing growth throughout the conference, and the stronger we are throughout, the stronger we'll be at the top, which will allow us more bids to the tournament, and more exposure for the conference," said Zaninovich.