For Kurt McGuffin it’s like coming home.
McGuffin, a 1992 Iola High graduate, was introduced this week as the new director of athletics for Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo. He is currently an assistant athletic director/director of athletics development at the University of Colorado-Boulder.
“It’s always been the dream to be a college athletic director. This is a tremendous opportunity for me and my family,” McGuffin told the Register in a telephone interview Wednesday. “A mentor of mine always talked about if you want to lead, lead.
“I’ve always seen myself as a leader and a manager of people.”
McGuffin will begin his new job Oct. 31. McGuffin is the son of Kit and Ken McGuffin of Iola.
Missouri Western is a NCAA Division II school. It is a member of the MIAA Conference.
“It’s like coming home for our family. We’re just two hours away from both sets of grandparents,” McGuffin said.
“We’re excited about coming back to the Midwest.”
McGuffin, who has had experience working in the NCAA Division I realm of athletics with Colorado, Kansas State, Wichita State, University of Idaho and Eastern Washington University, said he is also excited about working at the NCAA Division II level.
“At the Division II it is all about the student-athlete experience. That is what is so exciting about it because I want the student-athletics at Missouri Western to have the best experience they can have as college athletes,” McGuffin said.
McGuffin pointed out that Missouri Western is where the Kansas City Chiefs invested in their new training camp. He said the Missouri Western athletes and students as a whole are benefitting from the state-of-the-art facilities.
‘’I believe that Kurt has the experience and professionalism to be an exceptional athletic director at Missouri Western,’’ said Dr. Vartabedian in a news release.
‘’I was especially impressed with his previous athletic administrative experience at universities of various sizes. Also, he has a track record of significant accomplishments in public relations, marketing and fundraising for intercollegiate athletics. Finally, he has some very good connections in our region. I ask all Griffons to join me in welcoming Kurt and his family to St. Joseph and Missouri Western.’’
McGuffin received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Kansas State in 1996 and his Master of Science in Education from Wichita State in 1999.
McGuffin and his wife Jessica have three children: Bryce, age 8; Brett, age 6; and Brea, age 1.
McGuffin has been at Colorado since 2010. In that position, he created and implemented a new annual giving program which increased total giving by 15 percent and added more than 600 members in the first year. He assisted with fundraising and development of a new $12.5 million court sport practice facility.
