By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City has been the home of the MIAA basketball championships since 2003, but with an expiring lease could the tourney find a new home?
MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy says the conference is exploring the possibility of a new home when their lease expires in 2026. One possible location is right here in St. Joseph.
Director of the St. Joseph Sports Commision Brett Esely says St Joseph has put in a bid and he's grateful and humbled to have this opportunity.
"I think the bid opportunity was open to any destination that wanted to get involved," Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "But you know like everything, I do think there are some destinations that the MIAA had hoped would get involved, and I certainly think St. Joseph was one of those, there's a lot that has to transpire over the next several weeks and months."
The commissioner said during MIAA basketball media days earlier this month that St. Joseph was one of three locations being considered.
Esely says these days championship events are seeking an environment that fits the event, and believes Civic Arena fits the MIAA tournament.
"Whether you've seen one event in Civic Arena over time or tens of hundreds, I think what people notice is it's a great place to play, it's a great place to see an event, the fans are right on top of you," Esely explains. "And when you look at the atmosphere you're trying to create for an athletic competition, where it involves student athletes and coaches and trying to create a memorable experience, the arena's elements really set up for that."
Civic Arena has undergone mass improvements over the last few years and will be getting a new paint job through this fall.
Esely says the economic impact for an event like this could be off the charts
"Knowing that fans are used to coming to the championship, if it did relocate to St. Joseph whereas the travel is a little bit different, it's still the same part of the MIAA footprint," Esely says. "And I think as it relates to downtown St. Joseph and looking at things that are already going on down there."
Esely cites the new Children's Discovery Center which will open in December, as well as all the downtown businesses that could host 15 to 18 alumni groups that provides limitless potential
Esely says events like this thrive best in communities that understand them the best.
"And that's what I've always preached about St. Joseph, is we understand the event, we understand whose coming, we understand the type of big deal it is, and that's all that event owners and guests can ask for when they come, is hey we're coming to town for a big time event and the community's rolled out the red carpet," Esely explains. "And we do that well, and I think this would be another great opportunity, if provided, to put our community on display."
Esely says by early 2025, the commission will have a better idea of where the bids are going and what the future potential site for the MIAA tournament might be.
Commissioner Racy says Kansas City has made a bid to continue hosting the tournament. Topeka is also in the running
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