Central Michigan athletic director Mike Alford is taking a position in State of florida to become the CEO of Seminole Boosters.
FSU announced the news on Wednesday morning.
“We are excited to welcome Michael Alford to the FSU family,” said FSU President John Thrasher. “As a former student-athlete and a respected leader who has held positions in both Division I and NFL athletics, Michael brings unique insight and great experience to the Seminole Boosters. He has a strong vision for fundraising and membership, and that will build on our culture of excellence and lead us into the future. “
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reports that Alford will take over in August after working as central Michigan’s athletic director since July 2017.
His background includes marketing experience with the Dallas Cowboys and Alabama Athletics.
Source: Mike Alford, Athletic Director at #CentralMichigan, will be leaving in August to become CEO of Seminole Boosters at #FloridaState. Alford has headed the CMU department since July 2017. He has extensive marketing experience with the Dallas Cowboys, Alabama Athletics, and others.
– Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) July 15, 2020
Last June, FSU formed the Florida State University Athletics Association to reorganize its athletic department and booster club.
“The reorganization of the Seminole Boosters and our Athletics Department will allow FSU to build on the historic success of both organizations,” said Board President Ed Burr last June. “The creation of FSUAA will ensure that the priorities, mission and focus of the drivers, athletics and administration are aligned.”
Alford will replace Andy Miller, who has been president of the Seminole Boosters since 1975. The transition was slated to complete for Miller’s retirement in September.
Below is the full FSU release:
Alford will lead the Florida State University Athletics fundraising arm that engages fans, alumni, and loyal fans to generate financial contributions to enrich the overall educational and athletic experience for more than 500 student-athletes participating in the 20 programs. FSU intercollegiate schools.
Thanks to the generosity of 15,000 donors, fans and corporate partners, FSU is the best-funded athletic department at the Atlantic Coast Conference and competes for national conferences and championships in all sports. In fiscal year 2018-2019, Seminole Boosters supported Florida State Athletics by raising $ 57.4 million to help cover the cost of scholarships, maintain and upgrade some of the best university facilities in the nation, and provide our student athletes with academic and Doctors who give them the winning advantage in the classroom and in the competition.
“Although bittersweet because of the great leadership and relationships we’ve built here in central Michigan, Laura and I couldn’t be more excited to join the FSU community,” said Alford. “Leading the premier college sports fundraising organization was an opportunity that excited me professionally.”
Alford is credited with leading Central Michigan during the most successful fundraising period in his athletic history. He has been the driving force behind the Chippewa Champions Center that is under construction and will serve as the home of Chippewa soccer, force and conditioning operations, sports medicine and several other units. Other highlights of the Alford era at CMU include the renegotiation of the CMU Athletics apparel contract that resulted in a 600 percent increase in revenue, topping a record high for Chippewa Athletic Fund memberships and overseeing the fundraising record. of department funds in 2018-19 that eclipsed the established brand in 2017-18 by 50 percent.
“The CEO Search Committee completed a six-month search process, and yesterday our Executive Committee approved Michael Alford as our next CEO,” said Bob Davis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seminole Boosters, Inc. “Michael has worked for some of the best sports programs in the country, both professional and college. He is an incredibly successful fundraiser and brings experience as an athletic director, which will make our relationship with athletics through the FSUAA even stronger and It will benefit both organizations.
“We thank Andy Miller for over 45 years of leadership and vision that he has brought to Seminole Boosters. The organization he has created and led makes us unique in college sports and it is a great reason why our position attracted an incredible amount of interest from across the country.
“We look forward to formally introducing Michael, Laura and their family in the very near future.”
Alford assumed the position at CMU after serving as associate director of athletics for administration and development at the University of Oklahoma from 2012 to 2017. Among his many duties with the Sooners, Alford is credited with planning and managing a facility project. $ 160 million end zone, and leadership of several capital campaigns, including one for a $ 7 million basketball performance center that opened in 2018.
Alford, 51, was a senior director of corporate partnerships and sales for the Dallas Cowboys from 2008 to 2012, and was the general manager of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing at the University of Alabama from 2004 to 2008. He has also worked for ESPN, the University of Southern California, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the University of Cincinnati.
“I am very satisfied with Michael’s selection, and I know he will do an excellent job,” said Andy Miller. “His experience as a fundraiser and athletic manager is so essential in today’s environment.
“I know you have all kinds of ideas on how to make Boosters as successful as possible, and you know what an athletic department at the highest level requires.
“He is the right person for the job, and he gives me some personal assurance that the organization and school I love will be in good hands.”
Baseball student-athlete at Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alford earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 1993 from UAB. He completed his master’s degree in athletics administration at the University of Arkansas in 1995.
Alford’s wife Laura played volleyball in Hawaii and was a coach in Cincinnati and UCI. They have three daughters, Audrey, Ashley, and Anna Leigh.
