The college football world learned earlier today that SEC commissioner Mike Slive will retire on July 31, 2015, after serving 13 years as the conference’s unquestioned leader. Due to a recurrence of prostate cancer, Slive wants to take some time for himself as he begins treatment.
Slive’s 13 years as SEC commissioner have been incredibly successful as SEC football rose to become the greatest conference in college football under Slive’s watch. To get the full scope of what all he has accomplished within the SEC, here’s a Mike Slive-themed timeline to remember his best moments as commissioner.
Mike Slive career timeline
1990: He founded Mike Slive-Mike Glazer Sports group, a legal practice specializing representing colleges in athletic-related matters.
1991-1995: He founded and served as commissioner of the Great Midwest Conference.
April 25, 1995: Slive founded and named commissioner of Conference USA.
1997-2004: Joined as a member of the NCAA Management Council.
2001-2003: Slive served as president of the Collegiate Commissioners Association.
2002-2003: Slive served on the Commission of Athletics Opportunity to review the workings of Title IX.
July 1, 2002: Once Roy Kramer retired Slive was named as the seventh commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.
February 2003: Slive developed national summit on sportsmanship and fan behavior.
Jan. 4, 2004: LSU wins BCS Championship, which was the first football championship under Slive.
2004: He developed the SEC Task Force on Compliance and Enforcement.
Sept. 15, 2005: After three years as commissioner, Slive signed contract extension through July 31, 2009.
2006-2008: He was named Coordinator of Bowl Championship Series.
Jan. 8, 2007: Florida wins BCS Championship and begins string of seven straight national titles for SEC football.
April 30, 2008: Slive proposes playoff format. His plan was rejected, but big picture was similar to current College Football Playoff.
Aug. 25 2008: ESPN purchases SEC television rights for $2.25 billion over 15 years.
2008-2009: He served as chair of NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Committee.
Sept. 25, 2011: SEC announces that Texas A&M will become a member of the conference.
Nov. 6, 2011: SEC announces that Missouri will become a member of the conference.
July 1, 2012: Texas A&M and Missouri officially join the SEC.
May 2, 2013: SEC announces creation of SEC Network, more than doubled annual TV revenue for each SEC school
Aug. 14, 2014: SEC Network debuts on television.
Oct. 14, 2014: Slive announces his plans to retire from his job as SEC Commissioner on July 31, 2015.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
