The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association will lose a key member this summer. Commissioner Ralph McFillen has notified the conference staff that he will retire once his contract expires in June.
McFillen took over as the commissioner in 1997 when Ken Jones, the first full-time commissioner, left his post. Under McFillen, the MIAA has turned into one of the nations best Division-II conferences. Just this year, four MIAA schools are ranked in the top-25 football poll. A fifth, University of Central Missouri dropped out, but was in the top-25 prior to losing to Truman State. Many of the conference’s football games can be seen on local television. The MIAA also takes part in the Mineral Water Bowl. And the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be played at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City for the fifth consecutive year.
McFillen, who turns 65 next year, is retiring mostly so he can spend more time with his family. He has a wife, Pat, two daughters, and five grandchildren.