KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association hosted its 2024 Football Media Day presented by Seigfreid Bingham on Tuesday, July 23 in Kansas City, Missouri.
 
MIAA head coaches and student-athletes gathered at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center for the Association’s annual Football Media Day. Each team participated in 15-minute press conferences with MIAA Media Day Emcee Matt Tritten and media representatives in attendance.
 
MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy and MIAA Supervisor of Officials Phil Laurie opened the event at 9:30 a.m. Commissioner Racy began highlighting the significance of the Division II football proposal approved at the 2024 NCAA Convention.
 
“The MIAA is very proud to have helped lead the charge for the legislative change that was approved at the last NCAA Convention in January that establishes an earlier start date for the Division II football season,” stated Commissioner Racy. “It helps create a better  schedule for the health and safety of MIAA student-athletes by introducing a Bye Week into schedules, and it also provides teams with the flexibility to find non-conference games early in their schedules.”
 
The Commissioner also spoke about a new “Premium Events” feature coming to The MIAA Network and provided an update on the MIAA’s progress on official relay and sideline replay. “Last fall there were 65 total plays reviewed during MIAA contest,” said Commissioner Racy. “Forty-seven were coaches’ challenges and 18 were reviews for targeting calls. Of the 65 plays reviewed, 18 were overturned… The MIAA will use four replay cameras in all MIAA stadiums this season.”
 
Commissioner Racy went on to explain the strength of MIAA football and went into detail on the current state of NCAA Division II football. Fans can hear Commissioner Racy’s full opening statement from the 2024 MIAA Football Media Day on The MIAA Network.
 
MIAA Supervisor of Officials Phil Laurie spoke on recruiting and training football officials. Entering his 17th year as the MIAA’s Supervisor of Officials, Phil is nationally respected as one of the best supervisors and officiating educators in the country, across all divisions.
 
The 2024 MIAA Football Media Day continues with team press conferences. Each MIAA team was represented by its head coach and two student-athletes.
 
First-year head coach of the Pittsburg State Gorillas Tom Anthony participated in his first MIAA Media Day today. On the topic of the recent head coach transition for the defending MIAA co-champions, Gorillas linebacker Jack Barkley gave a shoutout to Pitt State Athletics Director Jim Johnson, “When Coach Wright left, he made the transition as seamless as possible… He understood that this team needed someone who knew the community and knew the players. Coach Anthony got to build his own staff, keep his D staff, and I appreciate Mr. Johnson for allowing him to do that, and I appreciate Coach Anthony for coming back and taking the job.”
 
MIAA fans can watch each team’s press conference from MIAA Football Media Day free of charge on The MIAA Network. Each team’s participants are listed below in the press conference schedule below.
 
The 2024 MIAA football season officially kicks off Thursday, August 29. To view a complete MIAA week-by-week schedule, click here.
 
PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Opening
9:30 a.m.      MIAA Commissioner Update – Mike Racy
9:45 a.m.      MIAA Supervisor of Officials Update – Phil Laurie

Session I
10:00 a.m.       Washburn – Craig Schurig, Connor Searcy (FB), Jordan Finnesy (S)
10:15 a.m.       Emporia State – Garin Higgins, Tyler Kahmann (WR), Rafe Goucher (DL)
10:30 a.m.       Fort Hays State – Chris Brown, Jack Dawson (QB), Myles Menges (DL)
10:45 a.m.       Break
11:00 a.m.       Nebraska Kearney – Ryan Held, Reagan Jones (QB), Quillan “Q” Felton (DE)
11:15 a.m.       Central Oklahoma –  Adam Dorrel, Noah West (LB), Kobey Stephens (DB)

Session II
12:00 p.m.      Missouri Southern – Atiba Bradley, Akeem Gilmore (WR), Zach Bergmann (LB)
12:15 p.m.      Pittsburg State – Tom Anthony, Chad Dodson Jr. (QB), Jack Barkley (LB)
12:30 p.m.      Central Missouri – Josh Lamberson, Zach Zebrowski (QB), Gabe Clark (OL)
12:45 p.m.      Break
1:00 p.m.        Missouri Western – Tyler Fenwick, Jonas Bennett (WR), Brandon Johnson (DL)
1:15 p.m.        Northwest Missouri –  Rich Wright, Jadon Brady (RB), Jake Fisher (DE)

Closing
1:30 p.m.            MIAA