Bio

Craig E. Conklin was a native of Belton, Missouri and 1976 graduate of Missouri Valley College with a BS in Business Administration. While attending MVC, he was a member of Sigma Nu Social Fraternity and was voted Sigma Nu Athlete of the Year in 1976. Craig was a four year football letterman and a quarterback for the Vikings. As a starter at quarterback he was 27-4-1. In 1973, Conklin threw 13 touchdown passes and held the school record for the longest touchdown pass from scrimmage – 88 yards to Stan Jones versus Baker University. Conklin had the most passing yardage in a single game – 198 against Graceland College and also the most career passing yards – 2,293. Going into Craig’s final season he was the all-time record holder in touchdown passes thrown with 35. In 1974, he was voted Outstanding Offensive Player in the NAIA semi-final game versus Hanover College in which the Vikes won 37-29. Craig continued his winning ways as he led his team into the first ever National Championship game against Texas Lutheran. During that season he threw for over 1100 yards. In 1975, Craig was 1st Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention NAIA District 16. While a starter at Valley, his teams were ranked in the top 5 in the NAIA in 1973, 1975, and finished 2nd in the nation in 1974. Craig was also an outstanding pitcher on the baseball team. He helped lead the Vikings baseball team to a second place finish in the conference in 1974. After leaving Missouri Valley he worked 27 years in the consumer packaged goods industry for Proctor and Gamble and is currently working as a Midwest Region Sales Manager for American Sugar Refining, Inc. When Craig was asked what influenced him the most at MVC, he replied, “I would site Coach Gibler for giving me the opportunity to play football and Coach Dew for his zest for life and his competitive spirit”! Craig is the father of three beautiful daughters, twins – Casey and Allie and his youngest Maddie.