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Slive succeeds Kramer as boss of "tumultuous" SEC
BIRMINGHAM, AL (AP) � Mike Slive was hired Tuesday as the new
commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, a league currently
dealing with an array of NCAA problems.
Slive, head of Conference USA since its inception in 1995, replaces
Roy Kramer, who turned the SEC into one of the most financially
successful leagues during his 12-year tenure.
Under Kramer, the SEC expanded to 12 schools and became the nation's
richest college conference with $95 million in revenues in 2000.
But the SEC repeatedly came under NCAA scrutiny, amassing a record 42
major rules violations since record keeping began in 1953, the most of
any league.
Two SEC football teams � Alabama and Kentucky � are on NCAA probation,
and three others � Arkansas, LSU and Tennessee � are under
investigation.
Slive's experience may come in handy. He is a lawyer whose former firm
defended schools against NCAA investigations in the 1980s and early
1990s. He also heads the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee.
A former New Hampshire judge, Slive is chairman of the NCAA Football
USA Board of Directors and the National Letters of Intent Appeals
Committee.
Tom Jurich, athletic director at C-USA member Louisville, called Slive
"a great leader."
"He can help them through tumultuous times. He's got the background
for it. We're going to miss him," Jurich said.
The 61-year-old Slive was the choice of the 13-member selection
committee.
Brian Teter, C-USA's assistant commissioner, said the executive
committee of the league's board of directors will speak next week to
set a timetable for hiring Slive's replacement.
C-USA expanded under Slive. East Carolina joined for football in 1997,
Army in '98 and UAB in '99. East Carolina and TCU began competition in
all sports last season, and South Florida will compete in football in
2003.
"He did a phenomenal job leading us from infancy to where it is now,"
Jurich said. "This conference was a diverse package and he's done a
great job of bringing everyone together."
Copyright 2002
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
02/23/2007 10:49 AM -----
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