Hopeful MVC Commissioner Elgin

(Indianapolis, IN) – It was a hopeful commissioner of the Missouri Valley Conference I spoke with in Indiana. Doug Elgin has been the league’s lead man for 29 years and has been a pioneer and a forerunner for commissioners of other so-called mid-major conferences.

We discussed the current state of the league’s basketball fortunes, the stability of the conference leadership team and even the possibilities of the Wichita State leaving the league. The Commissioner is a hopeful man during this March Madness season.

The MVC recently completed its 27th edition of Arch Madness, the end-of-season basketball tournament. That tournament in downtown St. Louis continues to be the league’s ‘family reunion’ and the crown jewell of what it does each year. Between the tournament’s success and the relative strength of many of the league members Elgin believes good days are ahead. Elgin loves to brag on his spectacular staff. Associate Commissioner Mike Kern was recently honored by the CoSIDA Convention.

 

 

The Valley has been at the center of a controversial storm this spring, as the debate about the absence of Illinois State from the NCAA Tournament field, and the seeding of Wichita State brought outcry from media members and fans alike. The Commissioner weighs in on both topics. As we spoke before the Shockers’ game with Kentucky, you can tell he knows his basketball.

 

 

Wichita State has been in the national news for other reasons. There have been numerous stories about the possibilities of starting a football program and possibly leaving the Missouri Valley Conference. Elgin says the league respects the WSU decision-making processes, but it gives the league office a reason to closely watch and even worry about the Shockers’ future in the Valley.

 

 

Elgin is one of the most respected leaders and administrators in all of college basketball. His team has built the Missouri Valley Conference into one of the top ‘mid-major’ conferences in the US.

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