Dr. R. Bowen Loftin reflects on the legacy of former SEC commissioner Mike Slive

Key notes from Dr. R. Bowen Loftin interview

• Sad first of all, especially for the Slive family because they lost such a valued member of their family. College sports lost a legendary figure that made such a huge impact on college athletics. And certainly a huge impact on the Southeastern Conference and Texas A&M.
   
• I rarely use the term visionary to describe people, but that's what Mike Slive was. He was a very successful sports lawyer, then moved into leadership roles into several conferences, he did great things for Conference USA, then he took over the SEC. The conference was down when he took over in regards to academics and reputation, but he did so much to change that. He brought an integrity to all programs in the conference. That's where his legacy is still felt is within the programs. Mike also structured a television network that is the standard for all conferences in college sports.
   
• In late 2009, early 2010, I was aware what was going on between UT-Austin and the Pac-12 and that disturbed me. I reached out to Mike Slive because I wanted Texas A&M to have it's own options in case something happened. I called him the day we made a decision in 2010 to tell him we wouldn't be making a change in conference alignment, but he kept the option open. We also had a quiet meeting at the Cotton Bowl when A&M played LSU. Then I called him in 2011 in July as he sat on his back porch smoking a cigar and we really started to put the plan into motion. His patience and ability to persevere never ceased to amaze me.
   
• The six words, "Howdy, Aggieland, welcome to the SEC..." truly signifies that Mike knew what the right decision was. I went back to R.C. Slocum to get some of the background on when the SWC separated and he said A&M truly wanted to be in the SEC. Slive was also open in conveying how great an asset Texas A&M would be to the SEC, but how great the SEC would be for Texas A&M. You get to sell athletes that they can compete in the best conference in the country, in the state of Texas. What more could you ask for?
   
• Also, think what Slive did for football overall in structuring the playoff format that we use today. He was one of the big decision makers who moved us to where we are today. He structured a playoff that provides some closure to who the best football team is every year in college football. Softball and baseball for Texas A&M has definitely flourished in a way that I don't know if it would've without the SEC.