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| Ask the Commissioner |
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(Click on any of the questions below to read the answer.)
Why is the MIAA scheduling so many championships in Kansas City?
The MIAA is in a unique situation that many other Division II conferences are not fortunate to have -- a major metropolitan area in the geographic center of the conference that has an interest in partnering with and promoting the conference. The MIAA has over 80,000 alumni in the KC Metro and facilities that are perfect for staging Division II conference championships. Many KC-area businesses have an interest in partnering with the MIAA to promote and administer these events. Further, the MIAA has a great relationship with Operation Breakthrough that provides student-athletes and coaches with community outreach opportunities during these events. The MIAA and Kansas City is a recipe for success for providing quality championship destination events for student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans. Look for the MIAA to continue to stage these exciting athletic events in the KC Metro and promote the city as a great host and location for Division II conference championships.
Why is the MIAA soliciting partners (sponsors) for events and other projects and programming?
To provide student-athletes with the best intercollegiate, academic and personal experience possible; the MIAA must have external support -- like any other not-for-profit organization. The conference is funded through institutional dues and minimal NCAA revenue distribution. To promote Kansas City and to provide quality destination events for fans, media and participants; external financial assistance is critical. Further, we believe that our partners get a great "return on investment" through media and venue exposure. Most importantly, though, partners have the opportunity to interact with university personnel and alumni and other conference partners. Maybe the most beneficial aspect provided partners (and the city of Kansas City) through our program is the exposure and interaction with visitors who are ALL potential return customers throughout the year as all MIAA communities are locates an average of 126 miles from downtown Kansas City.
Why is there no mention of wrestling on your website?
I understand your frustration if you are a wrestling fan and you are aware that some of our MIAA members sponsor wrestling programs, but you aren't able to find specific information on the conference website regarding the sport. The reason there is no information regarding wrestling on the conference website is because wrestling is not a sport in which we conduct a conference championship, even though some schools sponsor the sport. At this time only four schools in the MIAA sponsor wrestling and we have to have at least five schools to begin discussions about a conference championship. We need six schools for the sport to be recognized by the NCAA. Our website is limited to only those sports in which conference championships are conducted. We have sports other than wrestling that some schools sponsor but are also not included as a specific page on the website (e.g. bowling, swimming and diving, ice hockey, etc.). In the event we establsih a conference championship, a page will certainly be added to the site. Until then, you can link from our site to the respective institutional sites to find information on their wrestling programs.
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