Mike Soltys was hired in the summer of 1980 as a college intern by ESPN’s founder, Bill Rasmussen, and served 43 years in ESPN’s corporate communications department, the last 20 as a vice president.  Soltys returned to ESPN in 2024 as a part-time Historian.

During his career, Soltys was responsible for strategic planning for publicity and issue management for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN on ABC, ESPN’s college networks, ESPNEWS, ESPN Radio and its news and social operations.  He was instrumental in building ESPNPR’s content creation including its social media feeds, corporate blog ESPNFrontRow and media website ESPNPressRoom.

Soltys also managed Connecticut issues, including serving as a registered lobbyist in the state. He served on ESPN’s Editorial Board for 20 years, longer than anyone.

After graduating from the University of Connecticut magna cum laude in 1981 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Soltys joined ESPN’s communications department full time.

Soltys oversaw ESPN’s comprehensive 25th anniversary publicity campaign in 2004 that received 12 public relations awards, more than any other project in ESPN history. And was then named Media Relations Professional of the Year by PR News. In 2008, The US Basketball Writers Association honored Soltys with the Katha Quinn Award for service to college basketball media.

Soltys resides in Southington, Connecticut, where his community involvement includes serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bread for Life during a transformative period for the food organization (2014-2024). He currently is Board Chairman Emeritus.   After advising Youth Journalism International for years, he joined its board in 2023.

In 2011, the Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce presented him with the Gail DePaolo Community Spirit Award for his “belief in giving back and helping others.” In 2013, he and his wife Teresa received the Compass Award from the Southington YMCA for their “focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.” In 2015, the Knights of Columbus honored him with a “Catholic Citizens Award.” In 2021, in recognition of his community contributions, Soltys received the Gold Medal Award from the Southington chapter of UNICO International.  And in 2024, the Franciscan Life Center honored him at their annual dinner with the “Dean of Sports” award.

He received a Master of Arts in communications from the University of Hartford in 1994.  Soltys gave the Distinguished Alumnus Address to UConn’s 2017 Communications class and he, his wife and their four children, all UConn grads, were honored as a family at the 2016 UConn Alumni Legacy Breakfast. He was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from UConn’ School of Communications in 2024.  Soltys and his sisters sponsor an annual scholarship at UConn, in honor of their parents, for an undergraduate working toward a career in athletic communications. He also frequently speaks at the University and has served as a mentor

Previously, Soltys has served on the Board of Directors of the Bristol Family Center, the Southington Chamber of Commerce and on a sports information/marketing Advisory Board for the University of Hartford. He helped open the Imagine Nation Children’s Museum in Bristol and served them for 10 years as an advisor. He also coached several youth sports, including 11 seasons of basketball, and for many years was a lector and confirmation mentor at his church

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