Todd Harris, 47

Five Towns naive created the NBA's 'Mic’d Up' segments

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Five Towns native and National Basketball Association executive Todd Harris, whose impact on the sport can be seen during every game died, on June 6. He was 47. A cause of death was not given.

Harris grew up in Woodmere and graduated from Hewlett High School before attending Syracuse University. At Syracuse, he served as the sports director of the school’s radio station, WJPZ, from 1990 until his graduation in 1991.

Dr. Roosevelt Wright was a professor at Syracuse’s Newhouse School of Public Communications and WJPZ adviser. “Todd was very instrumental in getting women’s sports covered at the station, and in his time as sports director he provided an excellent environment for the students to gain experience in broadcasting,” Wright said. “He was a brilliant young man and it was a pleasure to have taught him.”

Harris worked for NBC Sports until 1995. At the NBA, he climbed the ranks and became the vice president of broadcasting. He was responsible for creating the schedules for the NBA, WNBA and NBA Developmental League. However, his contribution that most fans would recognize was the creation of the “Mic’d Up” segments which gives viewers an opportunity to hear what it’s like inside a team huddle or on the court.

As news of Harris’s death spread, media personalities praised the executive; among them were Rachel Nichols, Bill Simmons and Mike Tirico whose time at Syracuse overlapped with Harris’. On Twitter, Tirico said that his thoughts were with the Harris and the NBA families.

In a statement NBA commissioner Adam Silver said: “Todd was part of our NBA family for more than 20 years. His ability to cultivate strong relationships with our teams and broadcaster was unrivaled. Todd was dedicated, charismatic, funny and outgoing. Everyone who knew Todd would say he was one of their favorite people; he was definitely one of mine.”

Harris is survived by his wife Jackie, daughter Mason, 19, and son Logan, 16. He was buried in Woodbridge, NJ on June 8. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations for Mason and Logan’s college funds at gofundme.com/3wdesb4.