Former NAIA top man to head MSC

March 25, 2010

Former NAIA top man to head MSC

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Mid-South Conference has its new commissioner with the selection of Steve Baker by the MSC Board of Presidents. Baker led the NAIA for over eight years and will assume the office, July 1. He will be the third commissioner in the history of Mid-South Conference.

Baker replaces Mike Pollio, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Pollio served as the MSC commissioner for the past eight years.

Lindsey Wilson College President William T. Luckey Jr., who was a part of the selection committee, said in a press release, "Steve Baker has great passion for the NAIA. He understands the high standards of the Mid-South Conference, which places the student-athlete at the center of everything it does," said Luckey. "We could not have found a better candidate to build on the great work of Mike Pollio. Steve will make the best conference in the NAIA even better with his expertise in promoting the student-athlete at our colleges and universities."

Baker, in a press release, said he is excited about leading the MSC.

"It is an honor and privilege to be named to this very prestigious position in intercollegiate sports," Baker said. "I look forward to working with the conference's outstanding group of presidents, athletics directors, coaches and student-athletes and keeping the Mid-South Conference at the top of the NAIA conferences."

The Mid-South Conference flourished under the direction of Commissioner Pollio. He was responsible for the increase in membership to 10 full-time institutions and 14 members for football. Pollio created a conference radio network; established a partnership with Wazoo Sports TV; raised more than $400,000 to support conference tournaments; and partnered with the Louisville Sports Commission to bring NAIA national championships and the national convention to Kentucky.

Baker was NAIA president and chief executive officer from 1997-2006. During those 8-1/2 years, Baker managed all aspects of the NAIA, including its annual national convention and administered to regional and national championships in 23 sports.

For the last three years, Baker has been director of development at Principal Financial Group in Omaha, Neb. and a financial advisor in Overland Park, Kan. Prior to his service with the NAIA, Baker was vice president of market development and European operations for Major League Baseball International.

"I'm excited to be back in the NAIA and to have the opportunity to be involved with individuals who understand the purpose of intercollegiate athletics," Baker said. "The Mid-South Conference has presidents, athletic directors and coaches who understand that the goal of intercollegiate athletics is to help young people learn and grow and also prepare them to be leaders in society."

University of Rio Grande athletic director Jeff Lanham is pleased with the selection of Baker and sees the choice as a plus for the conference. "As we enter the MSC as a new member, all of our programs have been very impressed with the operation and direction the conference is moving," Lanham said. "The hiring of Steve Baker is another example of the direction our presidents, athletic directors and student/athletes are moving in the MSC."

Lanham is excited about the future of the conference with Baker at the helm. "We were very excited to hear the news concerning the commissioner's position," Lanham added. "Steve Baker will do a great job in promoting our conference locally and nationally. His knowledge of the NAIA and athletics will benefit all concerned with the MSC. It is good to see Steve back in athletics."

"I look forward to working with Steve in the future and helping the MSC continue to grow," Lanham said. "It is an exciting time to be a part of the MSC. This conference has a commissioner, presidents, athletic directors and student/athletes who are great examples of collegiate athletes!"