Kurt McGuffin
Kurt McGuffin, Missouri Western State University’s director of athletics since 2011, has accepted the position of director of intercollegiate athletics at the University of Tennessee at Martin. His last day at Missouri Western will be June 27.
“Kurt has shown steadfast dedication to our student-athletes, coaches and the community,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “He has a lot to show for his time here, including facility improvements, the addition of six sports and the athletic and academic success of our student-athletes.”
McGuffin became Missouri Western’s director of athletics on Oct. 31, 2011. The athletic department has produced six MIAA team championships in his time. Facility improvements have included a nearly $8 million total renovation of Spratt Memorial Stadium. Six new teams – men’s and women’s cross country, indoor track and field and outdoor track and field – will begin competition in the 2017-2018 school year. McGuffin, along with the department of health, physical education and recreation, also developed a master of applied science degree in sport and fitness management. The program has allowed Griffon athletics to bring more than 20 graduate assistants to help with various programs. He was also instrumental in retaining Missouri Western as the summer training camp home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I want to thank Dr. Vartabedian and the rest of the Missouri Western community for the opportunity to serve as the Director of Athletics the last five-and-a-half years,” McGuffin said. “I will cherish the many memories and successes that we were able to share together. All of those could not have been possible without tremendous community support, the outstanding work of our athletic administrative staff, coaches and most of all our student-athletes..”
A national search for Missouri Western’s eighth athletic director will begin immediately. Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will chair the search committee.
“We are moving forward quickly, but thoroughly,” Dr. Vartabedian said. “We want a seamless transition in leadership to continue Missouri Western’s success on the field and in the classroom.”
Missouri Western State University is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. UT Martin is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and competes in NCAA Division I in both men’s and women’s sports and the Football Championship Subdivision.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.