DaytonDailyNews.com

MIDDLETOWN — Since he first stepped onto the Miami University Middletown campus as a student in 1973, Jim Sliger has made the school his home.

He began his 30-year career as the women's basketball team's first coach in 1977.

Along the way, he also coached the men's basketball team, the men's golf team and the baseball team. He became the athletic director in 1995, but has now decided it's time to move on to something new.

Sliger announced his retirement as MUM's athletic director and student activities coordinator effective Aug. 30. He will begin a new chapter in his Miami experience Sept. 4 as the equipment manager for the Miami RedHawks baseball team and other sports at the university.

"I love MUM," Sliger said. "It's been my life, but it is just time to do something different. I have an opportunity to stay with Miami and work with the baseball team and (coach) Dan Simmonds, whom I have a great deal of respect for.

"It's a little nerve-wracking," he added. "I've never changed jobs before. Sometimes you just don't see yourself doing anything else. It's going to be a little different experience, one that I am looking forward to."

At MUM, Sliger has been part of several state championships and the creation of an athletic hall of fame.

"I have had a lot of great experiences and met and worked with a lot of great people," Sliger said. "There have been so many memories that I can't pick just one. I met my wife (Jenny) at Miami, and my kids (Meagan, Stefanie, Matt and Philip) have grown up here. It was a tough decision, but I know it was something I needed to do."

A retirement reception for Sliger is set for 10:30 a.m. Aug. 31 in MUM's Campus Community Center.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2852

or sweaver@coxohio.com.