Mike Gilleran Position: Commissioner Institution: West Coast Conference

Michael Gilleran, the league's first full-time commissioner, is in his 22nd season with the West Coast Conference (WCC), having started in January of 1984 after an eight-year stint in the enforcement department of the NCAA.

The Seattle native has instituted progressive improvements ranging from the formation of a women's league to instituting postseason basketball tournaments complete with national television coverage to expansion of the conference office staff. The league has gained national prominence in its 13 sports, including annual appearances in the NCAAs.

Prior to joining the WCC, Gilleran served as an enforcement representative and later as assistant director of enforcement for the NCAA. During his time with the national governing body he personally conducted investigations and supervised a part-time staff of 25 former FBI agents.

Gilleran is a 1971 journalism graduate of Seattle University, where he played varsity basketball. After earning his law degree at Puget Sound in 1975 he had a stint playing professional basketball in France.