BIOGRAPHY
Mike Racy was named the fifth full-time commissioner of the MIAA on Sept. 7, 2016. During his tenure, Racy has created the MIAA Network, moved the conference office to Hy-Vee Arena, doubled the number of corporate sponsors, and started a conference-wide risk management initiative. Under Racy’s leadership, the MIAA has won 28 team national championships in 11 different sports.
Racy graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor of business administration degree in May 1987. Racy graduated from The University of Missouri, Kansas City Law School in 1992, with honors.
In December 1993, Racy left private legal practice and began employment at the NCAA. In the spring of 1995, Racy was assigned by the NCAA Presidents Commission to rewrite the NCAA Constitution. After the successful restructuring of the NCAA, Racy was promoted to Vice President for NCAA Division II. Racy served in this role until spring, 2013. Division II achievements during Racy’s leadership included the implementation of the National Championships Festival, development of a Division II Strategic Positioning Platform, partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation on a multi-million dollar fundraising initiative, and development of the Division II TV Game of the Week.
In 2011, Racy was selected as a 2011-12 American Council on Education Fellow. In 2013, Racy became the University of Central Missouri’s Vice-President for Law, Policy and Strategy/General Counsel. In this role, Racy was responsible for decision support to the President on legal, policy and strategy issues, and served as Counsel to the UCM Board.
A STRATEGIC VISION FOR THE CONFERENCE
More Than A Logo
Under Commissioner Racy’s lead, the MIAA has transformed its image. He was responsible for moving the Conference’s office inside HyVee Arena, which attracts near 500,000 annual visitors. The move allowed the office the chance to brand the exterior walls and windows, to deliver the message of who the MIAA is and the competitive success its had for the first time in history.
Racy also redeveloped the way the MIAA tells its story. He launched a new marketing campaign ("Bring Your A Game") to showcase what the Association has to offer from sports to the classroom to prospective students, corporate partners, and fans. His vision also saw the MIAA initiate a new strategic plan. The plan was all-encompassing to allow the voices of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators to have a stake in where the conference is headed next. He also assisted in the revamping of the Association’s style guide and website to provide a more modern look for a digital society.
Advancing The MIAA Network
A significant change for the MIAA since Racy took over the Commissioner’s office was the advancement of The MIAA Network to not only one of the best digital networks in NCAA Division II, but the entire NCAA.
The MIAA Network entered into an exclusive rights deal with Hudl, formally known as BlueFrame Technology, in 2017. The partnership propelled the network to new heights in revenue generation as it set records in revenue and viewership each year over a three-year period. In 2020, The MIAA Network became the first conference in NCAA Division II to place all its sports behind a paywall.
PROVIDING AN EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER
Prioritizing Health and Wellness
With Commissioner Racy at the helm of the MIAA, the conference has placed a focus on the mental health and wellness of the student-athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators. He helped the Association’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) start the WE CARE initiative. The initiative focuses on providing student-athletes the resources and tools to address their mental health needs along with educating them on how to properly take care of themselves throughout their careers and life after the competition ends.
With his focus on health and wellness, he proactively entered the Association into a partnership with the US Council of Athletes Health (USCAH). The partnership allowed member institutions to have access to better training tips for student-athlete injuries and learning modules for mental health education.
Student-Athlete Experience
As Commissioner, Racy shaped the student-athlete experience like never before and the voice of the student-athlete has been heard. His vision led the conference to conduct championships in some of the nation’s best venues like Kansas City’s historic Municipal Auditorium, which hosts the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship and St. Josephy's Civic Area, home to NCAA national tournaments.
In the governance structure, coaches and student-athletes have had a voice in legislative matters. With Racy’s leadership, SAAC has been able to provide input on potential rules, legislation, and decision-making. The groups have representations on the COVID-19 Task Force and the Community Culture Task Force along with being able to move legislation through the structure.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WON IN THE COMMISSIONER RACY ERA
Northwest Missouri Football - 2016
Northwest Missouri Men’s Basketball - 2017
McKendree Women’s Bowling - 2017
Central Missouri Women’s Soccer - 2017
Pittsburg State Men’s Indoor Track & Field - 2018
Central Missouri Women’s Basketball - 2018
Central Oklahoma Women’s Rowing - 2018
Lincoln Women’s Outdoor Track & Field - 2018
Northwest Missouri Men’s Basketball - 2019
Lincoln Women’s Outdoor Track & Field - 2019
Central Oklahoma Women’s Rowing - 2019
Northwest Missouri Men's Basketball - 2021
Central Oklahoma Women's Rowing - 2021
Nebraska Kearney Wrestling - 2022
Northwest Missouri Men's Basketball - 2022
Pittsburg State Men's Outdoor Track & Field - 2022
Rogers State Softball - 2022
Central Oklahoma Wrestling - 2023
Pittsburg State Men's Indoor Track & Field - 2023
Pittsburg State Men's Outdoor Track & Field - 2023
Pittsburg State Men's Indoor Track & Field - 2024
Central Oklahoma Wrestling - 2024
Pittsburg State Women's Outdoor Track & Field - 2024
Pittsburg State Men's Outdoor Track & Field - 2024
Nebraska Kearney Wrestling - 2025
Pittsburg State Women's Indoor Track & Field - 2025
Pittsburg State Men's Indoor Track & Field - 2025
Pittsburg State Men's Outdoor Track & Field - 2025
Italicized Denotes Undefeated
2024 MIAA Commissioner's Report - Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
2023 MIAA Commissioner's Report - Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
2022 MIAA Commissioner's Report - Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
2021 MIAA Commissioner's Report - Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
2020 MIAA Commissioner's Report - Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
2019 MIAA Commissioner's Report - Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
2018 MIAA Commissioner's Report - Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
2017 MIAA Commissioner's Report - Key Initiatives and Accomplishments
RACY'S ADMINISTRATIVE CAREER
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
-Director of Promotions and Marketing (1987-1990)
Gage & Tucker Law Firm
-General Litigation Attorney (1992-1993)
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
-Legal Assistant (1993-1996)
-Assistant Chief of Staff for Division II (1996-1999)
-Vice President for Division II (1999-2013)
University of Central Missouri
-Chief Strategy Officer (2013)
-Vice President for Law, Policy, and Strategy/General Counsel (2014-15)
Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA)
-Commissioner (2016-Present)