The college sports community had a lot to say with today's announcement of Commissioner Mike Aresco's retirement.
Michael Fitts, President, Tulane University
Mike has done a truly outstanding job in shepherding the American Athletic Conference through a rapidly changing national landscape in college athletics. We all are in his debt. The conference would not be what it is without him. Mike is a thoughtful and strategic thinker and a warm gregarious human being; we will miss him dearly.
Mike Krzyzewski, Former Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Duke/Army/U.S. National Team
As a longtime television executive and Division I conference commissioner at the AAC, Mike Aresco’s fingerprints are all over college athletics. Mike is remarkable and I consider him a dear friend. His vision and passion to constantly improve college sports are legendary. While this is a tremendous loss for our industry, we are extremely happy for Mike and his family as they enter retirement together.
Burke Magnus, President, Content, ESPN
Mike has been a great leader, partner and friend for almost 30 years. His accomplishments in both media and intercollegiate athletics speak to his keen intellect, vision, relationships and courage. All of ESPN wishes Mike and Sharon the best in their next adventure.
Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports
Mike was a trusted colleague at CBS Sports and played an integral role in the growth of college sports at our network. From helping to further March Madness into a national treasure and leading our groundbreaking arrangement with the NCAA in 1999 and later our historic joint venture with Turner Sports, to establishing SEC football as a national television package, his vision was clear and his legacy is secure. He has also been a great partner at the AAC. Most important, Mike is a man of integrity, humility and kindness and the most loyal friend you could ever have.
Jim Nantz, Sportscaster and Anchor, CBS Sports
In the stormy seas of college athletics, Mike was a steady hand who gave the American Athletic Conference great leadership and vision. I salute my former CBS colleague for a job exceedingly well done.
Tony Petitti, Commissioner, Big Ten Conference
After decades at ESPN, CBS Sports and clearly as commissioner at The American, Mike has contributed leadership with deep and lasting impact on college sports and student athletes.
Philip Rogers, Chancellor, East Carolina University and Chair of The American’s Board of Directors
Mike Aresco has been a strong, steady, and innovative commissioner for the American Athletic Conference since its inception. We are all grateful for his distinguished service to the conference. There is no question that he will leave the AAC well-positioned for future success due to his strategic approach to navigating the complex landscape of intercollegiate athletics. More importantly, though, he led with deep character and integrity and we will miss him dearly in this role. My colleagues and I wish Mike and his family the very best in this new phase of life.
Jim Delany, Former Commissioner, Big Ten Conference
Mike Aresco made his mark as both a TV executive and a conference commissioner. Smart, creative, hard working and honest are appropriate words to describe Mike’s leadership throughout both of his career paths. The AAC could not have been better represented then it was by Mike during a dynamic period in college sports.
Tim Brando, Sportscaster and Anchor, Fox Sports
Few television executives cared as much about college football as did Mike Aresco. As Sr. VP of Programming he helped create the SEC on CBS as must-see TV for nearly three decades. He made Army-Navy special by giving it a date all by itself. As Commissioner of the Big East, later reforming a new American Athletic Conference for the betterment of college football while allowing the Big East basketball-only schools a chance to recapture their tradition at Madison Square Garden. His legal acumen coupled with television knowledge and respect allowed member institutions to grow exponentially.
Verne Lundquist, Sportscaster, CBS Sports
Mike Aresco has been a treasured friend for two decades. I first met Mike when he was an integral member of the CBS Sports executive team. During his years of service as the Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference, he has led his group in confronting the challenges that currently face college athletics with great skill. I wish Mike and Sharon all the best in his retirement.