Tom Fifer had more than 30 years of influence on Missouri Valley College athletics, beginning first as head coach of the men’s basketball program.  Tom guided the men’s basketball team to its first NAIA National tournament appearance in nearly 30 years in his first year as coach, in the 1991-92 season.  The team finished with a 21-11 record.  In all, Tom coached the men’s basketball program for nine seasons, accumulating 131 total wins, which is third-most all-time.  He coached two All-Americans and 13 All-Conference selections.  In 1997, Tom took over as Athletic Director for the college, and held both duties until stepping down as basketball coach following the 1999-2000 season.

 

As Athletic Director, Tom oversaw great success of the department.  During his leadership, the men’s wrestling, women’s wrestling, cheer and men’s soccer teams all won national championships, while men’s wrestling, cheer, men’s rodeo, women’s rodeo, men’s lacrosse and men’s soccer programs each finished as national runner-up at their respective championships.

 

Tom’s tenure also included tremendous expansion of athletics at the college, as the men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s lacrosse, esports, lifting, shooting sports, and bowling programs were all created.  In addition, the sport of women’s wrestling was added, and Missouri Valley became the first program in the country to offer scholarship collegiate opportunities for the sport.

 

His time as athletic director also featured renovations and improvements to athletic facilities including Volney C. Ashford Stadium and Gregg-Mitchell Field, along with the addition of the Walker C. Fletcher Athletic Complex and Markowitz Center for Strength Training.  In 2013, Tom was promoted to Executive Vice President of the college, and continued to oversee the athletic department until his retirement in June of 2022.