Remembering SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer

I am a University of South Carolina alumnus. I am also an SEC office alum.

Two dates (of many) come to mind that make my relationship with Roy Kramer extra special.

On September 25, 1990, South Carolina was invited by the SEC to join the league. How do I know? I have a replica of the document in my files. Signed by then-SEC Commissioner Roy Kramer.

On July 1, 1995, was my first day working in the SEC office under Commissioner Kramer, overseeing the conference office’s communications and media relations department. I would work under his leadership until his final day as Commissioner at the end of the 2001-02 academic year.

Commissioner Kramer passed away last week (Thursday, December 4) at the age of 96.

Most everyone will remember Commissioner Kramer as the SEC Commissioner, the Vanderbilt Athletics Director, the national championship football coach at Central Michigan University or the creator of the Bowl Championship Series.

He was more special than that.

Of course, he was a boss, but he was a mentor, friend, confidant, a father-type figure. It was one of my favorite moments when I could invite him, along with Mike Slive and Greg Sankey to USC to take part in our 25th Anniversary in the SEC ceremonies. They took part in roundtable discussion, hosted by our Sports Management Program, a dinner and an on-field salute at a home football game.

There was a day when he told me that he wanted me to take over all administration for all things baseball. That included scheduling, game management, tournament operations, promotion, umpires, and coaches. It was then that I worked closely with Gamecock baseball coach Ray Tanner, along with one of the greatest coaches groups one can imagine.

There’s more … much more. He was special and he made you feel special.

Several years ago, I, along with a friend and former SEC co-worker, drove to see him at his house in Vonore, Tennessee. We got there in time for lunch and spent several hours with him reminiscing and talking about the current state of college athletics.

Making the drive back home, he called to thank us for coming and to have a safe trip home. That was Commissioner Kramer.

— Charles Bloom, Executive Associate Athletics Director