BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (October 7, 2025) - Mark Womack, Executive Associate Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, who spent nearly half a century of his professional career as a member of the SEC staff, passed away Monday at the age of 70.
Womack also served as Chief Financial Officer, was a liaison to the SEC’s athletics directors, and he spearheaded scheduling efforts for the sport of football. He also worked with the SEC’s football bowl partners and television partners in addition to his general administration duties of SEC football and the SEC office.
During his 47 years in the SEC office, Womack witnessed 20 football national champions from the conference and the SEC experienced unparalleled success across all sports. He was also instrumental in negotiating some of the most lucrative television contracts in the history of college sports.
Womack played an integral role in the growth of the SEC as its footprint has grown from seven states when he joined the Conference office in 1978 to 12 states today. The SEC expanded from 10 members to 12 in 1991 with the addition of Arkansas and South Carolina, then to 14 in 2012 with the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M, and once again to 16 members when Texas and Oklahoma joined the SEC in 2024. He was instrumental in the development of the first SEC Football Championship Game in 1992, the first conference championship of its type in Division I.
"Mark Womack dedicated nearly five decades of his life to the universities of the Southeastern Conference,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “The SEC was his passion. During his career he played a key role in many of the league’s most pivotal decisions that contributed significantly to the long-term success of the SEC. Mark had many friends across the world of college athletics and was deeply respected for his ability to build strong relationships, navigate complex challenges, and communicate with strength, trust and empathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s family and friends during this time."
Womack twice served as acting commissioner, first in 1986 before the SEC hired Harvey Schiller, then again in 1989 prior to Roy Kramer being named commissioner. He has worked alongside five of the SEC’s eight commissioners, including H. Boyd McWhorter, Schiller, Kramer, Mike Slive and Sankey.
In 2023 Womack was honored by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame as its Distinguished American Sportsman of the Year.
Womack joined the SEC in 1978 as Assistant Public Relations Director under then-SEC publicist Scoop Hudgins. The following year, he became Assistant to the Commissioner for Administration and Information.
In 1981, Womack was promoted to Assistant Commissioner, a title he held until 1988 when he was promoted again to Associate Commissioner.
He was born January 12, 1955 in Scottsboro, Ala., and raised in Tuscaloosa. Womack earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Alabama in 1978.
He was preceded in death by parents Billy Mack Womack and Mable Carter Womack, and brother Tommy Womack. He is survived by his son John David Womack and Stephanie Womack who he married in 1994.