Jeff Jackson’s office is abuzz with activity throughout the year, and his schedule as Missouri Valley Conference commissioner keeps him on the move.
While many St. Louisans are familiar with the MVC Arch Madness men’s basketball tournament that tips off annually in March at the Enterprise Center, Jackson oversees a conference that fields 18 sports, eight men’s and 10 women’s.
Five of its member universities compete in Division I FCS football. Two others compete in the Pioneer Football League, which is also D-1 FCS.
Two weeks ago, Jackson was at the men’s cross-country championship in Evansville, Indiana, then made it to Sioux Falls for a football clash between South Dakota and North Dakota.
On Sunday, Jackson was in Normal, Illinois, to watch the University of Illinois-Chicago top Illinois State University on penalty kicks to claim the MVC women’s soccer championship.
“Sometimes I can get bogged down in the minutiae. When I get to some events, it’s great to see the kids having fun,” he said.
He noted it is also satisfying to see MVC teams “win games in NCAA tournaments.”
Jackson’s home is also in the St. Louis area, which he calls “beautiful.” He adds that its location makes Arch Madness a manageable drive for fans attending the tournament.
“St. Louis is such a central location. It’s a natural nexus point,” Jackson said.
Jackson began his tenure as MVC commissioner in July 2021, and his impact was immediate. The college athletics landscape was also about to dramatically change
Belmont, UIC, and Murray State joined the MVC that year, which expanded the conference to 12 members for the first time in its 117-year history.
Jackson ushered in the era of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and expanded the league’s television package.
He describes himself as an avid reader, but NIL has limited his time with novels and non-fiction works.
“Now, it’s reading contracts and legislative proposals. It’s time consuming, but that’s the gig,” he said.
Jackson said MVC schools “have embraced NIL.”
“Our members look at it as long overdue. We look at it as an opportunity to reward student athletes that certainly bring something to their campuses. It’s a cost to be productive on the national stage.”
Jackson was appointed MVC commissioner after serving as executive associate commissioner of the Big 12 Conference. Among his responsibilities were coordination of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship and officiating management.
He had previously served as Big South Conference deputy commissioner.
A former collegiate basketball player, Jackson would coach for three decades including guiding Furman as head coach from 2006-13. He was at the helm of New Hampshire University from 1996 to 1999 before becoming an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt University from 1999-2006.
When “Selection Sunday” for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament begins each year, Jackson admits to being anxious “because I want [our teams] to be appreciated.
The Arch Madness champion earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, but it has been difficult getting a second team an invitation.
“I’m an advocate of expanding the [NCAA Tournament] field to 76 teams,” Jackson said.
Jackson also applauds Chris Zimmerman, St. Louis Blues president and CEO, and Todd Mitchell, vice president and general manager at Enterprise Center, for helping the MVC stage one of the nation’s top-rated tournaments.
Jackson’s office and MVC headquarters on Chouteau Avenue is within walking distance of the Enterprise Center.
Before he makes that walk in March, Jackson will be doing a lot more traveling by air.
The Reid Roundup
Lenny Wilkens, one of the classiest former professional athletes and coaches I ever interviewed, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 9, at age 88. Wilkens’ Hall of Fame career began with the St. Louis Hawks. He played here for eight seasons before being traded to Seattle in 1968, where he served as player-coach until 1972. He led the SuperSonics to the franchise’s only NBA title in 1979. Wilkens coached Team USA when the men’s basketball team won the gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his college, professional, and coaching careers.