Central Missouri athletic director Jerry Hughes, ‘NCAA legend’ administrator, dies
Jerry Hughes, a leading figure in NCAA Division II and MIAA sports and longtime athletic director at Central Missouri, died on Saturday. He was 73.
Hughes had been the school’s athletic director for 40 years. He served on the NCAA Executive Committee and as chairman of the NCAA Championships Committee. He chaired the same council under different NCAA Division II structures, making him the only person to hold the highest-ranking leadership position twice.
“Jerry Hughes is an NCAA legend,” said MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. “I don’t think most people in the Division II membership realize that Jerry is the individual most responsible for the financial resources and NCAA budget allocation that our division has today.”
Central Missouri president Roger Best said Hughes will be remembered for his national leadership and commitment to the school’s athletics.
“Jerry was a friend and mentor to countless people, and his passing is a profound loss to the university and all of intercollegiate athletics,” Best said. “He dedicated his life’s work to his alma mater, and the UCM athletics program is among the top in Division II because of his leadership. We will be forever grateful for his contributions in making UCM a better place for us all.”
In Hughes tenure, Central Missouri’s Mules and Jennies combined to win 179 MIAA championships and 10 NCAA team titles.
Hughes graduated from Central Missouri in 1971, was an All-MIAA golfer and earned his master’s degree there in 1979, when he joined the athletic department.
He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
This story was originally published January 23, 2023 at 4:36 PM.