WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The University of Central Missouri Board of Governors unanimously approved the renaming of the UCM Multipurpose Building to the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center in honor of the late Jerry Hughes, who served as UCM's Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics from 1983-2023, it was announced Monday, August 21.
Hughes dedicated more than 40 years of his life to laying the foundation for successes that included numerous conference, regional and national championships, improved athletic facilities, and the recruitment of thousands of outstanding student-athletes to the University of Central Missouri.
"Jerry Hughes had a profound impact on Intercollegiate Athletics and his alma mater through more than 40 years of dedicated service and leadership," UCM President Dr. Roger Best said. "The Multipurpose Building was his campus home throughout, and it is only fitting that we forever honor his contributions to UCM and so many others in this highly visible way."
Hughes's dedication to building a quality athletic program resulted in many forms of recognition for the Mules and Jennies. Under his leadership, Central Missouri won 179 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) championships, 10 national championships, had 50 other top-four NCAA finishes, and made more than 300 NCAA postseason appearances.
"Our family is humbled, and I know Jerry would be too, by the action taken today [Thursday, August 17] by the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors in renaming the Multipurpose Building the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center," Hughes's wife, Vici, said. "On behalf of the family, I would like to thank President Best, his staff, and everyone else who made this possible. The building was truly Jerry's 'home away from home' and served as the foundation for the strong, dominating athletic program that Jerry built. We're grateful for this honor and tribute to Jerry."
Under Hughes, Central Missouri won the MIAA All-Sports Trophy each year from 1998-99 (the year of the award's inception) until the award was discontinued in 2002-03 and took home the first two MIAA Commissioner's Cup following the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons and again in 2019-20 and 2020-21. UCM finished second in the LEARFIELD Directors' Cup in 2010-11, the best finish in university and MIAA history after finishing third the previous two years. In the 25-year history of the Directors' Cup, UCM has 14 Top 10 finishes and 22 Top 20 finishes.
"Simply put, UCM Athletics would not be where we are today without Jerry Hughes," UCM Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell said. "Jerry is a legend, not only at UCM, but within our industry of intercollegiate athletics. The renaming of the Multipurpose Building to the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center is a fitting tribute to honor Jerry's legacy now, and into the future."
The Multipurpose Building opened its doors in 1976 and has helped Mules and Jennies basketball, and Jennies volleyball enjoy one of the best home court advantages in all of NCAA Division II. Jennies volleyball has an impressive record of 396-57 since 1988 while Mules basketball is a stellar 549-123 since 1976 and Jennies basketball is an outstanding 526-115 since 1976.
Mules wrestling and Mules and Jennies track & field also call the building home and have posted numerous milestones while competing inside the friendly confines of the Multipurpose Building.
"Jerry Hughes was a legend. Not only on the UCM campus, in the MIAA or [NCAA] Division II athletics. Jerry was a legend in the entire NCAA sports world," UCM Board of Governors President Ken Weymuth said. "You can't replace a legend. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention. Under Jerry's leadership, the Mules and Jennies were one of the most respected Division II schools in the country. CMSU/UCM were always the teams to beat. It is our honor to be able to name the 'Multi' after our longtime friend, Jerry Hughes."
Details for a formal ceremony for the renaming of the UCM Multipurpose Building to the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center will be announced at a later date.
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