University leader passes away

MOBILE Ala. - Mike Blaylock, vice president for campus affairs at the University of Mobile, met each day with a laugh, an enthusiastic exclamation of "you're awesome" or "you rock" to students and co-workers he passed in the hall, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of those around him. On Dec. 29, 2008, the popular 53-year-old died at home surrounded by his family, leaving a legacy of encouragement, humor and faith.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at First Baptist North Mobile in Saraland, Ala., on Thursday, Jan., 1, 2009 from 5-7 p.m. Services will be held Friday, Jan. 2 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist North
Mobile. Internment will follow at Mobile Memorial Gardens. University residence halls will open Thursday, Jan. 1, at 5 p.m. for out-of-town students wishing to return to campus early in order to attend the service.

The university will hold a memorial celebration on campus Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 11 a.m. in H. Austill Pharr Gymnasium.

Blaylock, who was diagnosed in February 2005 with colon cancer that had spread to the liver, approached his illness as he approached all of life's difficulties - with humor, faith and an intent to encourage others. He continued to work at the university while undergoing chemotherapy, arranging his treatment schedule around UM athletic events so he could be in the stands to cheer on the student athletes.

An April 2005 article in the Mobile Register described the impact Blaylock made in the lives of students at the Christian university. When he learned that a basketball player from Poland was homesick, he wore a T-shirt with her name on it to a game and cheered her on from the stands. He invited international students to spend holidays at his home, escorted members of the homecoming court whose fathers were unable to attend and, as an ordained minister, traveled to Brazil to conduct a wedding ceremony for a UM graduate.

When students learned of his illness, members of the women's soccer team sold T-shirts to help defray medical costs. The T-shirts featured a humorous photograph of Blaylock with his signature phrase, "You're Awesome!" printed on the front. On the back was one of Blaylock's favorite Bible passages from 2 Samuel 22:2, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Savior."

Nikki Sheridan of Dublin, Ireland, then a sophomore, said she and others organized the T-shirt sale as an encouragement to a man who went out of his way to encourage them.

"The smile he puts on people's faces is unbelievable," Sheridan said during the interview with a Mobile Register reporter. "I can't imagine not seeing his face every day."

Dr. Mark Foley, president of the University of Mobile, said Blaylock made an impact in the lives of students and co-workers.

"Mike believed that God had a purpose for his life, something big that he was supposed to accomplish," Foley said. "Mike and I agreed almost 10 years ago that purpose was his engagement with the University of Mobile, more specifically his engagement with the students. He loved these men and women; he loved encouraging them, he loved teaching them how to walk with God in a unique way. Mike brought an innovative mind and a passion for these students to us. He made a difference in this place that will not be forgotten and will always be appreciated.

"Mike would say there is nothing in his life that God did not know and not appoint. In spite of what we view as an untimely loss, God is still working among us in the life that we observed through Mike. And for that, I am eternally grateful. He was a talented and innovative university vice president, he was a colleague, and he was my friend," Foley said. Brian Boyle, vice president for development, said Blaylock never quit smiling.

"Mike was passionate about people. He went out of his way to let you know that you were important. He challenged you to be the best you could be," Boyle said.

Blaylock joined the University of Mobile administrative staff in 1999 as vice president for institutional advancement and was named vice president for campus affairs in 2004. He is the author of "The Right Way to Win," a success strategy book for Christian athletes published in 2000 by Moody Press; "A Tree Firmly Planted: 120 Devotions to Strengthen and Encourage Your Personal Life;" and "An Unexpected Journey: Traveling Through a Valley Called Cancer." A professional member of the National Speakers Association, Blaylock spoke extensively about leadership and shared his personal experiences through his website, www.lifechangingleadership.com .

He has served as a motivational speaker for over 20 major league baseball and National Football League teams, as well as businesses, professional organizations, universities and churches throughout the nation. He was chaplain for the Kansas City Royals from 1975-80 and was featured speaker and singer for the 1976, 1978 and 1980 American