St. Joseph bidding to become next host of MIAA Basketball Tournament
By Cameron Montemayor
St. Joseph is pushing all its chips on the table in a bid to secure one of Division II basketball’s top conference tournaments.
If everything falls into place, St. Joseph and Civic Arena could become the next home for the MIAA Basketball Tournament. St. Joseph Missouri Sports Commission Executive Director Brett Esely confirmed that the city has submitted a bid to host the high-profile event.
“The first opportunity that it could explore going to another locale would be in March of 2027,” Esely said. “We thought the timing was right to put in a bid and we’ll see what happens with that.”
MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy confirmed to reporters at the latest MIAA media day in October that the conference is continuing to explore all options for future host sites, opening the door for St. Joseph to throw its hat in the ring.
The tournament has been a fixture at Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium for the last two decades and features 20 teams from four different states — both men and women — playing in 18 games over five days. The MIAA conference includes both Missouri Western State University and Northwest Missouri State.
“An event like that would have a huge impact on St. Joseph and our community,” Esely said. “Over the next few months … as few as four or as many as six. I think we’ll see what the future of this bid and what the future of the championship might look like.”
Widespread upgrades at Civic Arena to the tune of more than $9 million, construction of two new hotels by the North Shoppes and the potential for another hotel and events center on Frederick Avenue are all critical elements — and will continue to be — for securing a signature NCAA event like the MIAA Basketball Tournament.
Esely said while more work remains for strengthening St. Joseph’s hotel and conference space landscape, a strong track record over the last three years has shown the Sports Commission and the city is excelling at securing, accommodating and hosting a variety of high-profile athletic events.
“In the true definition of this being the Show-Me state, I think we’ve done that here, Esely said. “We always have an emphasis on what’s next. I say that a lot. It’s about what comes in the future as a result of that. We hope that facilitates grow and I think you’re starting to see that here in the community.”
St. Joseph has been the host of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Elite Eight and National Championship for the last two seasons and is preparing to host the second annual Bill Snyder Classic. Last year’s event brought Mizzou and Kansas State to the hardwood at Civic Arena, with Kansas State set to return on Dec. 14 against Middle Tennessee State.
This December also marks the second time St. Joseph will host the MIAA Volleyball Championships at Civic Arena and the first time for the MSHSAA 8-Man State Championship game at Missouri Western, an agreement that runs until 2028.
If secured, the goal would be to have the event in St. Joseph for multiple years, potentially two, four or more, allowing the city to build tradition and further strengthen their resume for future opportunities.
“There’s still a long, long way to go. Obviously, there’s other great communities in the mix, but we think St. Joseph is strong and feel like we do a great job if we get that opportunity,” he said.
