From the Great Midwest Conference to the SEC — My Memory of Mike Slive

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Mike Slive for more than 20 years.

I first met both he and his wife Liz when I was covering UAB Athletics and Slive was the commissioner of the Great Midwest Conference.

I was a young broadcaster at that time, and he was the head of a young league that needed attention. I initially took that to be the reason why he was so kind and generous with his time. Surely, he just needed attention for the fledgling league, wherever he could get it.

But I was wrong.

Mike Slive was kind to me then – as he continues to be - because that’s who he is.

Make no mistake, he can be as tough and as strong as any individual you have encountered, when the situation dictates, but his nature is kind and gentle, and he is easily the most influential and respected individual in college athletics today.

He has that level of respect, not because of the position he’s held as SEC Commissioner, but because of how he’s conducted himself while in that position.