TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Longtime Miami Dade College Director of Athletics Jim Cox passed away Sunday, September 24 at the age of 69. 

Cox, who is synonymous with Miami-area sports, from high school to the pros, became MDC's sports information director in 1977. He kept moving up at MDC, eventually serving as Director of Athletics from 1997 to 2010, leading the Sharks during that span to five national championships, 15 state titles and 30 conference crowns.

Current Miami Dade College President Madeline Pumariega, a former women's basketball student-athlete at MDC, paid tribute to Cox on "X," the platform formerly known as Twitter, "Saddened by the loss of a true sportsman and great man, Miami Dade's former Athletic Director Jim Cox. I will never forget sitting at Jim's desk and signing a letter of intent to play basketball at then Miami Dade Community College. Jim's contributions to MDC's Athletic Program are immeasurable. A true staple in Miami sports, his legacy will live forever in our community. My prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

Newly-hired Miami Dade College Director of Athletics Mike Balado is a native of Miami and once served as an assistant men's basketball coach for the Sharks.

"Jim is a legend here is South Florida," said Balado. "The impact he had, not only on Miami Dade College, but the entire sports community of Miami is unmeasurable. He was a great friend, mentor, boss, and inspiration for so many piers and student-athletes.  He will be missed tremendously and we pray for his family during this tough time."

Susan Summons, head women's basketball coach at Miami Dade College added, "Florida has lost a fallen hero in the sports world. Jim Cox, a great guy, a friend to many, a colleague to most, and a legend to all in sports administration, coaching, and professional sports. Jim will be missed immensely."

In addition to his service to Miami Dade College, Cox was an almost constant presence as a leading statistician for the Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes and, most notably, the Miami Heat, where he was the stats crew chief since their 1998 inception. As the leader of the South Florida group of statisticians known as the "stat frat," Cox recorded stats for six Super Bowls, six NBA Finals and countless college football bowl games. 

Cox served in various leadership roles within the FCSAA, including Chair of the Council for Athletic Affairs (CAA) from 2005-07. Among his many accolades, he is a member of the FCSAA Hall of Fame (2008) and FCSAA Men's Basketball Hall of Fame (2014) and was a NACDA Athletic Director of the Year for Junior/Community Colleges in 2003. 

"Jim Cox was a professional in every sense of the word," said Rob Chaney, FCSAA Associate Director and Athletics Commissioner. "Jim had a profound impact on FCSAA Athletics and was a friend and mentor to countless athletic administrators at all levels of athletics." 

Cox inspired numerous individuals who followed in his footsteps in the athletics industry, including Bob Zelinski, who retired as the College of Central Florida's Director of Athletics in 2022.

Said Zelinski, "Jim Cox will be remembered as a true friend to any one he met and a great guy to have at all occasions. He immediately made an impact on the FCSAA when he was named SID at Miami Dade, taking over the FCSAA statistical service and putting a professional face on all the state programs. He brought his statistical talents to all the state tournaments when he began using computer stat programs at the championships. From there, he moved into athletic administration and his induction to the Halls of Fame in NJCAA Volleyball, the FCSAA, the FCSAA basketball coaches and his tremendous success at Miami Dade speaks for his talent and dedication. I have truly admired and respected him for over 40 years and have lost one of my best friends."

The Florida College System Activities Association and its Council for Athletic Affairs would like to extend its condolences to Miami Dade College and the Cox family.