Former SEC commissioner Mike Slive has passed away at the age of 77.
Slive was the league’s commissioner from 2002 to 2015.
He was a huge part of what was an unprecedented era for the league, which included 81 national championships overall and eight national titles in football.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our friend and former Commissioner Mike Slive.
His impact was felt far beyond the footprint of the SEC. His presence will be missed. https://t.co/Sjvo5Ws8mL pic.twitter.com/7y0dMXXmAa
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) May 16, 2018
The conference released a statement following Slive’s passing and praised his impact on the launching of the SEC Network, the conference’s academic development, and the advancement of diversity.
“Under Mike’s leadership, the league launched the SEC Network in August 2014, a national network bringing more than 1000 events into the homes and to the mobile devices of college sports fans across the country. These agreements made the league the most widely distributed conference on television in the nation and also secured the financial health of the SEC and its member institutions for years to come.
During Slive’s tenure at the SEC, he developed initiatives designed to maintain and improve the SEC’s preeminent position in intercollegiate athletics, both on and off the fields of play. These included the SEC Task Force on Compliance and Enforcement which developed policies and procedures to assist league schools in NCAA and SEC matters; SEC University (SECU), the conference’s academic initiative; and an SEC Sportsmanship initiative consisting of policies and procedures designed to foster sportsmanship and encourage positive fan behavior.
Slive was perhaps most proud of the advancement of diversity across the SEC during his tenure, highlighted by the hiring of Sylvester Croom at Mississippi State, the first African-American football coach in league history. He also directed the development of a Minority Coaches Database to encourage the hiring of minorities in the sport of football.”
Current SEC commissioner Greg Sankey released a statement lauding Slive’s impact throughout his life:
“Mike Slive literally changed the world through his life. He was a friend before we worked together. He was a friend when we were colleagues. He remained a friend in his retirement as I succeeded him as commissioner. Today we all lost a friend. We will miss him for his work and especially for his compassion. Our prayers are with Liz, Anna, Judd and Abigail.”
Sankey also joined The Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday afternoon to share additional thoughts on Slive’s passing.
The Mike Slive Foundation for Prostate Cancer Research was founded after he retired to help raise awareness for the disease, with MikeSliveFoundation.org accepting donations for those who wish to help support the cause.
A memorial service for Slive will be held on Friday at Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham.