Miami University

News Release

News and Public Information Office
Glos Center
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513) 529-7592
(513) 529-1950 fax
newsinfo@muohio.edu

"A moment with ... Mike Pearson"

02/09/2012

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Mike Pearson

Take "A moment with ... Detroit native Mike Pearson." The assistant athletic director for communications and technology at Miami, he was was born 30 years too late, his wife says, because his favorite athletes are Babe Ruth and Red Grange. In addition to his passion for Miami's RedHawks, he still cheers for his home teams, the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons.

Q: What is a day like in your office?
A: Our staff is responsible for maximizing the exposure of RedHawk athletics, promoting Miami’s student-athletes, coaches, administrators and varsity alumni, developing communications concepts, over-seeing ICA’s website (MURedHawks.com), hosting media who attend our 18 varsity sports and providing service to ICA development, marketing and other units. I’m privileged to have an outstanding staff that’s one of the best in collegiate athletics.

Q: What's the most rewarding part of your job?
A: I regularly tell people that I’m blessed to wake up every morning with a passion for my job. While I love individual sports—football, basketball, hockey, etc.—I particularly enjoy the seasonal variety of college athletics. In the fall, there’s football, volleyball, soccer, field hockey and cross country. During the winter months, there’s swimming, hoops and synchronized skating. Then, during the spring months, we have softball, baseball, golf, track and field and spring football. I love to interact with all of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff members; they’re all interesting individuals.

Q: Where did you stop on your way to Oxford?
A: Lots of places. Originally, I’m from mid-Michigan, just north of Lansing. (The readers can’t see me pointing to the palm in my right hand.) I received a degree in journalism from Michigan State, then got my first career job as an assistant sports information director at the University of Illinois. After a one-year stop at Western Michigan University as athletic promotions director, I then returned to a full-time position at my alma mater for nine years. The Illini called in 1989, so it was back down I-57 to be their SID (sports information director). After writing a book about Illini athletics history, the publishing company offered me a job to head up the acquisitions staff there in Champaign. We moved back to Michigan for six years, before we came to Oxford.

Q: What's your favorite Miami "secret"?
A: Between you and me… don’t tell anyone ... but the RedHawk football team is going to beat Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes on September 1st!