Newsome replaces Houdeshell as MSFA Commissioner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FINDLAY, OH -- James D. Houdeshell, who helped NAIA schools in three states form the Mid-States Football Association in 1993, has retired as the MSFA Commissioner. The Association selected Gary Newsome, athletics director at Olivet Nazarene University, as his replacement.
Newsome assumed his commissioner's duties at the Association's annual meeting May 5th on the Olivet Nazarene University campus in Bourbonnais, IL.
"I am very honored and humbled to be chosen by the MSFA coaches to sit in the commissioner's chair," Newsome said. "History shows us that the MSFA has been the strongest NAIA football conference in America over the past 20 years. Knowing that I cannot replace someone like Dr. Houdeshell, I just hope to serve the coaches and universities in the MSFA with never tiring energy and I hope to be their biggest cheerleader.
"Can't wait to get to Daytona (NAIA championship) and cheer on the next MSFA/NAIA football champion."
Newsome will oversee the operations of the 13-team Association, which includes Concordia University (Ann Arbor, MI); Marian University (Indianapolis, IN); Robert Morris University (Chicago); Siena Heights University (Adrian, MI); Taylor University (Upland, IN); University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne, IN); and the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL) in the Mideast League; and Grand View University (Des Moines, IA); Olivet Nazarene; Saint Xavier University (Chicago); St. Ambrose University (Davenport, IA); Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL); and William Penn University (Oskaloosa, IA) in the Midwest League.
"It has been a privilege to serve you," Houdeshell said as he addressed the annual meeting. "This is the best (NAIA) conference in the country. The times and names have changed, but you still hold to the standards established when the schools began in 1993 and to the MSFA success established over the past 20 seasons. You have carried out a vision as the only conference managed by football coaches."
Houdeshell, who is in his 59th year of service at the University of Findlay (Ohio) and is a special assistant to the president, also ends a 50-year association with the NAIA. The Rawson, OH 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).
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.
At the University of Findlay, he 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).
Houdeshell also helped develop the school's nationally-ranked equestrian program, Croy Physical Education Center and has been involved in several fund-raising projects. He is a member of the UF, Hancock Sports and the NAIA basketball and Directors of Athletics hall of fames. The gymnasium in Croy Center is named in his honor and he has served many civic organizations.
Newsome is in his sixth year as the ONU athletic director after serving nine years as the Tigers' head football coach. He also serves on the NAIA National Administrative Council's Awards and Statistics committee.
During 2012-13, the Tigers won their fourth consecutive CCAC All-Sports Cup and fifth in six years; finished sixth in the NAIA Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings; had six of nine teams finish first or second during the regular season and seven teams win their respective tournament championships. ONU also sent 13 teams to the NAIA National Tournament.
As the Tigers' head coach he was named MSFA Coach of the Year twice, guided his team to the NAIA playoffs, had a league championship and two runner-up finishes as well as two NCCAA Victory Bowl titles. Newsome won 46 games, 15 more than any coach in Olivet history.
He also has a wealth of administrative experience during his 25 years service in the Ohio public school system, serving 14 years as a public school administrator. As a high school football coach at Paint Valley and Chillicothe his teams recorded 110 victories, two undefeated seasons, four playoff appearances and he won eight coach of the year honors. He also coached in the Ohio North-South All-Star game twice, was inducted into the Paint Valley Hall of Fame and also coached men's and women's basketball, baseball, wrestling, swimming, tennis and track.
The 1974 Olivet Nazarene graduate earned a master's degree from Chicago State University (1982). While at Olivet, Newsome was a four-year starter in baseball and was the team's MVP his senior year and the team's leading hitter as a junior. He also served as the school's head baseball coach and the football team's defensive coordinator (1980-81). Newsome's 1981 team won a then-school record 21 baseball games and advanced to the NAIA District 20 playoffs.
