MSFA mourns passing of former Commissioner James Houdeshell
FINDLAY, Ohio – Former MSFA commissioner, Dr. James Houdeshell, who served the association for over 20 years, passed away last week in Marana, Arizona.
Houdeshell was the MSFA's founding commissioner and served in the role from 1993 until 2014. The Rawson, Ohio native attended his first NAIA national convention in 1955 as the head basketball, football and baseball coach, an associate professor and athletics director at Findlay. His reign as the top MSFA administrator paralleled that of the commissioner of the American Mideast Conference (1996-2012).
"Dr. Houdeshell was instrumental in bringing the founding schools of the MSFA together, and starting the league," said current MSFA commissioner Ron Korfmacher. "His skillful leadership guided the conference and the programs within it to the success the MSFA has seen over the last three decades."
His first office with the NAIA was in 1961-62 as the vice-president of the NAIA Basketball Coaches Association and then was elected its president (1962-64). He also had positions on the basketball All-American, rating and tournament committees; was the NAIA represented to the AAU basketball committee (1964-75); chairman of the U.S. Collegiate Sports Council directing selection of the American team in the World University Games (1968-70), coaching U.S. teams in international tournaments (1979-80) in Brazil and Argentina.
Houdeshell also was president of the NAIA Athletic Directors Association (1981-82), member of its national executive council (1984-90) and then served as the NAIA president in 1990-91.
"Jim Houdeshell had a tremendous love for the NAIA and took pride in serving as our commissioner for more than twenty years," said Saint Xavier head football coach Mike Feminis, who began his head coaching career with the Cougars under Houdeshell's tenure. "Jim was an outstanding leader who was greatly respected by every coach and athletic director of our institutions. What will always stick out for me though is that Jim was such a kind man and a family man. He will be missed."
At the University of Findlay, Houdeshell compiled a 430-312 record with several conference and district championships as a 30-year men's basketball coach. He also recorded conference titles as a cross country, track and field and baseball coach and spent five years as the school's football mentor; served two tenures (1955-59 & 1971-1986) as AD; was chairman of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation department (1955-84); and dean of University College (1992-94) and College of Professional Studies (1994-00).
Release (via FindlayOilers.com)
