MVC’s Kern Honored

Editor: This is a press release by CoSIDA.

Mike Kern (Missouri Valley Conference), 25-Year Award
by Mary Ann Mitchell, University of Missouri St. Louis Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations
CoSIDA Special Awards Committee memberMike Kern doesn’t recall that time when he knew athletics media relations was it for him. It has just been something that has always clicked.

“If you’re happy with what you are doing and where you are at, you don’t really think about doing anything else. And fortunately for me, I’ve been happy with what I’ve been doing,” noted Kern.

Kern, an Associate Commissioner with the Missouri Valley Conference, is in his 25th year with the league and in his 26th year overall serving the membership. In a dual role, Kern serves as Associate Commissioner for the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and has been with the MVFC since 1991.

The St. Louis native got his start in the profession as a freshman at the University of Missouri. As a high school student on the yearbook staff, Kern had a little writing experience and some knowledge of publications, but was new to the sports coverage and working with the media.

“I had no idea what I was getting into, but I was exposed to it in baby steps,” Kern said. “I started working football and basketball games and although my primary assignment was golf, there were so many other events going on that I was able to experience it all. ”

He then went on to Missouri State University and worked as a graduate assistant under Mark Stillwell. After finishing there in 1990, Kern applied for a job with the Gateway Conference under the direction of Patty Viverito (now MVC Senior Associate Commissioner), but was runner-up to someone with a bit more experience. However, a year later when Viverito was hiring again and did not have time to conduct a search while being pregnant with her second child, she immediately offered Kern the job. And, 25 years later, he is still there.

Longevity is actually no stranger to the MVC. Commissioner Doug Elgin is in his 29th year, Viverito is in her 25th year (and 32nd directing the Missouri Valley Football Conference as its commissioner), while fellow Associate Commissioner Jack Watkins is also serving in his 25th year as a staff member. That group of people has been one of the main reasons that has kept Kern at the conference office.

“The work has changed over the years, but I truly enjoy the people I work with,” he said. “We’ve also done so many things since I’ve started that the job stays fresh. When I started, there was no e-mail and no websites. Everything we do now is done differently because of technology.”

At one point, Kern’s job was strictly media relations, but over time, it has evolved with different projects, including the addition of the MVC TV Network.

“I still do quite a bit of updating stats and writing recaps – that is still my primary role, but the job has just evolved to include so much more.”

Kern now oversees the league’s football television package, which includes scheduling and clearances, along with the hiring of on-air talent.

For the last four years, Kern has also been the FCS Managing Director. In that role, he administers an Football Championship Subdivision website, oversees a national awards program, serves as a liaison to the NCAA and ESPN regarding the video highlight program and social media efforts, and monitors FCS branding activities, including a weekly “notebook” distributed to participating FCS schools and media.

For The Valley, he oversees all media relations for the 18-sport league with his primary responsibility being men’s basketball. It’s that sport which has provided many of his top memories with the league, including Wichita State’s Final Four run in 2013 and their 35-0 start the following year before suffering a loss.

“Most of the things I remember revolve around basketball, whether it’s our own tournament or the NCAA Tournament and the success we’ve had there. Being at a non-power five conference and getting that win you think you might get and getting it, it’s something that you relish for a long time.”

The work Kern and his fellow MVC colleagues have done with Arch Madness, the league’s annual postseason tournament in St. Louis, and the hosting of several NCAA Tournaments in the city, have also opened new avenues in his career. Last year, he was asked to serve on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four Media Coordination committee.

“I’ve been to Final Fours and have helped host them here in St. Louis, but continuing to learn from them is a great and exciting opportunity,” Kern concluded.

“My job with the conference office has opened doors to so many different opportunities and it’s been great. It might sound cliché to say this job is awesome, but it truly is.”