(Notre Dame) — Pat Garrity, a former Big East Player of the Year and a two-time academic All-American, is returning to his alma mater to be the general manager of both the Notre Dame men’s and women’s basketball programs. In addition, Garrity will be the primary administrator for the programs in the athletic department, reporting directly to athletic director Pete Bevacqua.

“This was really attractive to me for so many reasons, and number one was the place,” said Garrity at a news conference Thursday. “I can’t really think of any place outside of my home that means as much to me. Number two is the impact that you can make. In the NBA, you’re making an impact sometimes in players’ lives, but it’s such a big enterprise. Being able to come back to a place like Notre Dame where we can bring in young student-athletes, develop them to the best of their abilities, set them up for when they stop playing…this will maybe the most meaningful thing I’ve done outside of playing basketball.”

Garrity will be tasked with developing long-term roster management strategies for both programs. He’ll work to establish a clear vision in recruiting and the transfer portal, while working hand-in-hand with the NIL office on a financial asset allocation strategy.

As the sport administrator for the men’s program, other key components of Garrity’s role include, but aren’t limited to, the development of annual strategic goals, team personnel management, budget analysis, revenue generation and fundraising, alumni relations and facility management.

“If you went into a laboratory and created the perfect person for this, it would be Pat,” lauded Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua. “Pat is the consummate Notre Dame student-athlete…somebody who excelled athletically to the highest degree possible, but also utilized his Notre Dame degree to continue to excel.”

A first-round draft pick of the Phoenix Suns in 1998, Garrity spent of his nine of his ten years on the court in the league with the Orlando Magic. With his playing days behind him, Garrity obtained his MBA from Duke University.  In August of 2014 Garrity landed the role of Director of Strategic Planning for the Detroit Pistons. In the summer of 2016, Garrity was promoted to Assistant General Manager and held that position for four seasons before leaving the post in 2020.

“If I were to sequence (this job), getting up to speed on the sport administrator side is the most important,” Notes Garrity. “Dealing with two teams is a lot, but I don’t think it’s anything too overwhelming. You’re having conversations with agents and parents, and figuring out who’s leaving and where you need to shore up your roster. It’s going to be a lot to learn.”

Both Irish basketball coaches are thrilled with the hire of Garrity as an additional resource.

“There’s a lot of things I’m looking forward to working with him on, both for short-term and long-term goals,” said Irish men’s coach Micah Shrewsberry, “With roster construction, a salary cap, you’re trying to build your program the best way possible. Our expertise is on the coaching side. His is on the front-office side. Being able to combine those things will be great for all of us.”

“I feel like his expertise at so many levels…the professional level, the collegiate level, the success he had here at Notre Dame and understanding the landscape is going to be huge,” admits women’s basketball coach Niele Ivey. “It’s great to have someone with a voice who has that experience and understands what we’re dealing with as a former student-athlete here.”

“I think one of the big things we want to focus on here is the money aspect means something, but being remembered as an all-time great a place means maybe more eventually,” says Garrity, who says Notre Dame will likely still focus on high school recruiting more than the transfer portal. “The word is development. We’re bringing freshman. We’re developing them into roles on the floor where they can excel. When you’re having a conversation with a young player and their family and your plan to develop them, they can take that to the bank if they come and put the work in.”