Michael Alford wanted to be proactive when diagnosed last week with cervical spinal stenosis during treatment in Miami for a neck issue.

“I feel like a million bucks,” Alford told the Tallahassee Democrat Tuesday, a week after undergoing neck surgery.

“I said, ‘Let’s fix this.’

“Everything is going planned for a better life moving forward.”

Alford – Florida State University’s Vice President and Director of Athletics – is working remotely and receiving physical therapy to improve his neck strength and range of motion.

Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal and can impact mobility and comfort. Alford, 55, said he expects to make a full recovery and return to the office in a few weeks.

FSU's Michael Alford engaged with university leadership following neck surgery

Cindy Hartmann, FSU's deputy athletics director for administration, is overseeing the athletic department's day-to-day activities during Alford's absence.

Alford, however, has been engaged with university leadership on issues that have been facing the school and athletics.

Those include the dueling lawsuits between FSU and the Atlantic Coast Conference; the future of the College Football Playoff contract; and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) updates.

Additionally, there are ongoing renovations to Doak Campbell Stadium and the addition of a football-only facility.

“Nothing has changed in this regard – we are making sure we are putting Florida State in the  best position to compete among the nation’s elite in all of our sports,” Alford said.

The lawsuits between FSU and the ACC continue to move forward as the Seminoles pursue a potential exit from the league.

The first hearing for FSU’s complaint against the Atlantic Coast Conference in Leon County is scheduled for April 9.  The ACC’s case against FSU has a hearing scheduled for March 22 in North Carolina.

FSU is questioning the enforceability of the league’s exit fee that could reach $572 million. That figures comes from a $130 million payment, plus the forfeiture of all media rights from the ACC-ESPN deal through 2036.

FSU AD Alford keeping a close eye on Seminole sports

Alford’s also keeping close watch on FSU’s sports.

Men’s basketball closes out its regular-season at home against Miami Saturday.

It has been a rollercoaster season for the Seminoles, who have hovered around .500 and last advanced into the NCAA Tournament in 2021. They fell at Pittsburgh, 88-73, Tuesday.

FSU coach Leonard Hamilton, 75, will enter the final year of his five-year contract in 2025. He’s the winningest coach in program history and in his 22^nd season with the Seminoles.

Alford’s approach since becoming athletics director in December 2021 has been to evaluate every program at the conclusion of its season.

The women’s basketball team, meanwhile, is the No. 6 seed in the ACC Tournament that starts Wednesday and will face the winner between No. 14 Wake Forest and No. 11 Virginia Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

FSU baseball (10-0) is one of five remaining undefeated Division I teams, while softball (11-4) looks to overcome pitching issues.

Alford’s health, however, remains his top priority.

“I feel great and am thankful,” Alford said.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU leader Michael Alford recovering from neck surgery for stenosis