Key takeaways from Michael Alford introductory press conference
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU football formerly introduced Michael Alford as its new Athletic Director Friday afternoon. Alford, who’s usually stoic in front of the camera, was visibly emotional when talking about accepting the role.
He went through the customary thank you’s of folks that have helped and influenced him on the journey.
However, I thought it was interesting Alford named-dropped several athletic directors from big-time Power 5 programs where he has worked in the past.
His experience as an athletic director is with Central Michigan, but it felt like he wanted to express he has experience working at other big-time programs like Texas and Oklahoma.
He also named-dropped ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips. I point that out because the other candidate for the job, Louisville’s Vice Tyre, supposedly had a good relationship with Phillips. Alford also mentioned his experience with professional NFL teams.
Other than this, I wanted to concentrate on things Alford outlined in his speech regarding his vision for FSU athletics.
The first thing was alignment with the educational mission of the university. I mean that’s nothing groundbreaking and should be a goal of every college athletic director. However, it was the other things I’ll expound on.