The SEC on Friday formally introduced Greg Sankey as the successor to retiring Commissioner Mike Slive, a move that "does not come as a surprise, as the well-respected executive was considered to be the front-runner for the job," according to Natalie Pierre of the BIRMINGHAM NEWS. Sankey, previously SEC Exec Associate Commissioner & COO, has served "as the league's No. 2" behind Slive since '12, and is in his 13th year with the conference. Slive has held the post since '02, but announced in October that he would retire on July 31. Arkansas Chancellor David Gearhart, who chaired the search committee, said of Sankey, "He is the right person to lead the SEC at an important time in our history." Pierre notes prior to joining the SEC, Sankey was Southland Conference Commissioner "for nearly seven years, spending four years working for the league before ascending to its top office" in '96. During his time at the SEC, Sankey "has helped the league improve its governance, enforcement and compliance program." He also chairs the NCAA's D-I Committee on Infractions, in addition to working with the D-I Legislative Council and the Committee on Academic Performance (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 3/13). ESPN.com's Chris Low wrote Slive "was a visionary," and Sankey was "right there ... every step of the way." Sankey "knows the league inside out," and has been "groomed for this job for some time now." Sankey will "have his own style, but he’s learned from the best and learned well." One of Slive’s "greatest strengths was balancing all the egos and agendas in the SEC and getting to the heart of what he genuinely felt was best for the league." Sankey also was in the "middle of those conversations, many of them contentious, and he already has a healthy relationship with coaches, athletic directors and presidents in the league" (ESPN.com, 3/12). CBSSPORTS.com's Jon Solomon said of Sankey, "He's a go-to guy in writing a lot of NCAA reform" (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/12).
RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB: In New Orleans, Ron Higgins wrote under the header, "New SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Fits Today's Changing College Athletics Climate." Sankey, like Slive before him and Roy Kramer before Slive, "fits the real-time parameters [of] what the SEC commissioner's job is at this very moment." With what the SEC "has in hand at the moment -- all of its TV and bowl contracts are in place and the league will probably increase" the record $309.6M revenue distributed to its members last June -- "and project that college athletics is in the baby steps of a major reform, no one is better suited and positioned for SEC commissioner than the 50-year-old Sankey." Slive "knew this two years ago when he promoted Sankey" (NOLA.com, 3/12). The AP's John Zenor wrote Sankey "has the challenging task of replacing one of the most powerful figures in college sports." ACC Commissioner John Swofford said, "Greg is knowledgeable and experienced and will be a natural addition around our Commissioner's table." Auburn AD Jay Jacobs "raved about Sankey's integrity, saying he is 'the most intelligent athletic administrator I know'" (AP, 3/12). Jacobs in a text message wrote Sankey "has a wealth of experience in college athletics and a better knowledge of the NCAA policies and procedures than anyone in our profession" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 3/13). In Nashville, David Climer writes it is up to Sankey to "bring his own vision to the SEC" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 3/13).
TWITTER REAX: SEC Associate Commissioner Herb Vincent wrote, "Greg Sankey got standing ovation from @SEC presidents this morning upon announcement he'll be next commissioner." Vanderbilt football's official Twitter account: "He's been a strong leader in league office & he's right person to replace Mr. Slive." ESPN Senior VP/Programming Acquisitions Burke Magnus: "A perfect fit to move the conference forward. A great leader and an even better person." Georgetown AD Lee Reed added, "Congrats to @gscantweet taking over the SEC! Did it the old fashioned way! Good for college athletics #Earned #Deserving." Ole Miss AD Ross Bjork: "Great hire." Fox Sports' Clay Travis: "Great guy, strong choice." Tennessee Assistant AD/Compliance & Football Administration Matt Hibbs: "Great decision for the future of our conference." Texas A&M Assistant Media Relations Dir Matt Callaway: "Hard-pressed to find a more deserving person." South Carolina Senior Associate AD Charles Bloom wrote, "No doubt successes of league will continue with his leadership." South Carolina Associate AD/Compliance Chris Rogers: "Great choice who does an unbelievable job for our conference & SA's!"
BORN TO RUN: In Birmingham, Bob Carlton in October profiled Sankey as a "21st century Renaissance Man who is a voracious reader, prolific marathon runner, and, who, for his birthday, helped build a clean-water well for impoverished people in India." But he also is an "Ordinary Joe ... whose idea of a big Friday night is ... staying home and playing board games with his wife and two daughters." Outside of his friends and family, his was a "name that ... was probably known only among collegiate athletic insiders" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 3/12). Meanwhile, USA Today's George Schroeder wrote, "Greg Sankey note: For 50th birthday last summer, @gscantweet asked friends to donate $50 to build water wells in India." Sporting News' Matt Hayes added, "Fun anecdote about new #SEC boss @gscantweet: he has run “about 40” marathons. One time, ran two in one month. Really." South Carolina's Bloom: "If @BtotheBlair is America's strongest compliance director, then @gscantweet may be America's fittest commissioner. #WorkoutWarriors."
PAYING TRIBUTE: Sankey said of Slive, "He's slowed me down when I needed to be slowed down, sped me up when I needed to speed up and those are characteristics and traits and lessons that I'll carry with me for life" ("SEC Now," SEC Network, 3/13).
