Mike Racy

Mike Racy is an American sports administrator, attorney and incoming commissioner for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Prior to being selected as the next commissioner, Racy practiced law in the Kansas City metropolitan area, served as an administrator at the University of Central Missouri, as well as the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Early years

Racy was born in Lawrence, Kansas and attended Abilene where he was raised.^[1] After high school, Racy attended Washburn University where he earned is bachelor of business administration, graduating in 1987.^[2] Racy then went on to complete his juris doctorate from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law, graduating in 1992.^[3] Racy began his career in sports working at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics while he was earning his law degree.^[4]

Career

After graduating from UMKC in 1992, Racy practiced private law in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1993, Racy moved to the NCAA to become a vice president, primarily as a legal assistant. A few years later in 1999, Racy became a vice president and served as the chief executive officer for the Division II level. While serving as vice president of the NCAA, Racy developed a strategic plan for the Division II level, as well as a television agreement with CBS College Sports for the regular season, operated the $30 million budget, and established the Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraising campaign.^[5]

In June 2013, after twenty years as a vice president for the NCAA, Racy left to become the chief strategy officer – also known as the general counsel – for the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri for two years.^[4] Racy left Central Missouri to become a collegiate athletics consultant. On September 7, 2016, it was announced that Racy would become the fifth full-time commissioner for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.^[6]

References