A 1974 graduate of Southeastern Massachusetts University, Mike Silva has long established connections to the university's Athletic Department as a coach, an employee and as an outstanding member of the southeastern Massachusetts sports community. After graduating from SMU with a degree in Marketing, Silva returned to the Dartmouth campus to work as the Assistant Director of Sports Information in 1975.  Silva's journalism career began as an undergraduate, covering SMU sports for The Standard-Times from 1972 through 1974.  In 1975, Silva was named Sports Editor of The Taunton Gazette, a position he held until 1991, when he left for his current position, Executive Sports Editor of The Herald News in Fall River, MA.  Silva has always remained close to the local collegiate and high school athletic scene, first serving as the SMU golf coach from 1979 until 1991, compiling a record of 38-19 in his nine seasons.  Silva also returned to SMU to work in the Sports Information Department from 1985 through 1991. Silva has also been the junior varsity basketball coach at Dighton Rehoboth High School since 1991 in addition to being a high school softball and field hockey official.  Silva's commitment to UMass Dartmouth Athletics was first recognized in 1988 when he received the John Frye Alumni Service Award.  He has been an active member of the Corsair Hall of Fame Committee for the last six years.