Collected Wisdom - Mike Racy

Collected Wisdom is a series of interviews featuring insights from Small College Athletic Administrators. Our thanks go out this week to Mike Racy , Commissioner of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, for taking time to share his thoughts and insights.

How did you get started in college athletics?

My start in intercollegiate athletics was the result of an “unpaid summer internship” at the NAIA, following my junior year in college. I lived in Lawrence, Kansas with my grandmother and drove to the NAIA office in Kansas City each day (on my dime…!). It was a great summer experience, and it opened doors for me to consider pursuing a career in Higher Education and Intercollegiate Athletics.

You’ve held leadership positions in the NCAA, at an institution, and now a conference. What led you to the role as a conference commissioner?

Leaving the NCAA was a difficult decision, but my wife and I really wanted to return to the Kansas City area to be closer to family and friends. I was hired to join the President’s staff at The University of Central Missouri, and we were living about 90 minutes from Kansas City. I was eventually promoted to VP for Law, Policy and Strategy at UCM. I enjoyed working on a college campus, but I missed intercollegiate athletics. The opportunity to become the Commissioner of the MIAA last year gave me a chance to get back into D2 athletics and to live in Kansas City---the best of both worlds!

What do you see as your primary responsibilities as a commissioner?

The role of the conference commissioner is to provide leadership for the efficient operation of the conference office and to manage the effective delivery of programs and services to our member schools.

What was the one thing you were least prepared for when you became a conference commissioner? How have you adjusted?

Two conference office areas where I don’t have a lot of experience from my work at the NCAA are officiating and scheduling. In both of these areas, I have relied on great Supervisors of Officials that we have in the MIAA and an experienced (and well respected) conference office staff. I have asked lots of questions, and I have tried to not mess things up…!

The past decade has seen a multitude of schools changing conferences, and at least one conference (Heartland) being absorbed into another (Lone Star). What do you think the future holds regarding conference realignment?

I think there will continue to be changes in all three divisions. In Division II, financial pressures are continuing to cause schools to evaluate operating costs, including travel, and to seek conference membership that makes the most sense geographically. I don’t see these pressure points on higher education going away any time soon so the possibility for conference membership changes will continue.

What is your favorite part of your job?

No doubt that the best part of being commissioner is being at a conference championship, being in the middle of a team celebration and getting to hand a trophy to a coach or a student-athlete.

You have held a number of positions in the Kansas City area. How has that familiarity impacted you and your initiatives as the MIAA Commissioner?

I love Kansas City and it has been great to see all of the positive changes that have happened in this city since I moved away 18 years ago. My Kansas City networks in athletics, higher education, the corporate community and the legal community have all paid dividends in my work at the MIAA the past 12 months. It has been awesome to reconnect with people and to discuss ways that I can get them involved in all of the great things that are happening in the MIAA.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Many years ago, my dad turned me on to a quote attributed to President Teddy Roosevelt (who just happens to be credited with founding the NCAA in 1906)---“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much your care!” I have tried to practice this throughout my career and to take great pride in everything that I do…

What advice do you have for young people looking to start a career in college athletics?

Volunteer to help out at games or special events; be willing to take on any assignment or task; and be persistent and committed to your long-term goals—never get discouraged!

What is the most challenging part of your position?

At the NCAA, we had so many resources and such a big staff. There are only 4 employees total at the MIAA office, so it is always “all hands on deck” to get things done. We are also challenged to be innovative and resourceful, but I consider that to be a positive outcome of working with such a small group of people.

What do you do to continue growing professionally?

I like challenges. I like to accomplish things that are difficult to do. When I left the NCAA to work in higher education administration at UCM, I definitely left my “comfort zone” and had to learn new things and develop new skills. The same thing is happening again in my transition to being an NCAA commissioner. The job is challenging and there are many issues that need to be addressed, but that is what I signed up for---I wouldn’t want it any other way!