Alumni Director Elizabeth Cline

Missouri Valley College is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Cline has assumed the role of director of alumni relations.

Cline has worked as a marketing and communication specialist at MVC since early 2022. In that role, she managed the college’s social media platforms, and will bring her expertise in that area to the alumni office.

Cline will work with the alumni advisory board and other MVC staff to engage with alumni around the globe.

I am thrilled to welcome Elizabeth as the new MVC Alumni Relations Director,’ said Eric Sappington, vice president of institutional advancement. “I have witnessed her talents while she worked on the marketing team and look forward to working with her to bring new and exciting alumni events and activities to Missouri Valley.”

Cline earned her degree in organizational communication and Spanish from Northwest Missouri State University.

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Machholz retired as head coach of the Missouri Valley men’s wrestling program after more than 30 years following the 2021-22 season.  He helped build the program after being dormant for nearly 20 years in 1991, and took over as head coach in 1994.  During his tenure, the Missouri Valley men’s wrestling program was one of the most successful in all of collegiate wrestling.  His program won three NAIA National championships (1996, 1997, 2003), was National runner-up an additional four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2005), won 11 regional team championships, produced 168 NAIA All-Americans, had 17 individual National champions, and 40 individual National finalists.

In addition to his team’s accomplishments, Machholz was recognized as the NAIA Men’s Wrestling Coach of the Year three times (1996, 1997, 2003) and was a ten-time Regional Coach of the Year.  He was also named the National Rookie Coach of the Year by Amateur Wrestling News in 1995.  He finished his coaching career with a 224-115-2 record in duals.

He was also instrumental in helping develop women’s wrestling as a collegiate sport, as he was at the forefront of building women’s wrestling by pioneering the first-ever women’s collegiate wrestling program to offer scholarships in 1999.  Machholz guidance helped the Missouri Valley women’s wrestling program win one National championship (2001) and two National runner-up finishes (2000, 2002).

Machholz was also an influential member of the  National Wrestling Coaches’ Association during his tenure as head coach at Missouri Valley.  He was the NWCA President from 1997-1999, then again from 2007-2009. He also served as a member of the executive committee for 25 years.

“This is a very special award for me and our program,” said Machholz. To be inducted into the National Hall of Fame means that your peers have recognized your accomplishments over the years, which is very special. I am truly humbled by this honor. To be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame is something, even as a youngster, I never dreamt would ever happen. We as coaches certainly don’t get into this profession thinking something like this would ever happen, but to be inducted in front of your former wrestlers, assistant coaches, family, friends and peers made this truly an amazing day!”

Machholz was promoted to Athletic Director at Missouri Valley on July 1, 2022.  He served as Assistant Athletic Director from 2003-2013, Associate Athletic Director from 2013-2018, then Senior Associate Athletic Director from 2018 until his most recent promotion.

He received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Missouri Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum, which goes to those who have spent their life making a significant impact on wrestling, leaving behind a legacy that others admire.

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 The weekend provides a number of activities open to the community. Some of those activities include the men’s and women’s soccer games, food trucks, annual Torch Run/Ed Leslie 5k run and 1-mile walk which will also feature a kid’s 50 and 100-yard dash, fireworks provided by the MVC Alumni Association, homecoming parade, pre-game tailgate for football, and more! 

“Where Your Story Began,” is a play on the fact that everyone has a story to tell. This year’s theme is focused on those stories of countless Viking alumni,” said Amanda Linneman, director of alumni relations. “So many memorable moments have and still are happening. We encourage our alumni and friends near and far to come back and celebrate all things at Missouri Valley College during Homecoming 2022.”

Three alumni will be recognized at the alumni banquet on Friday, Oct. 21 in the Charles L. Bacon Conference Center. Outstanding Alumni Award recipients are Stephen J. Tuck ‘78 of Marshall, Missouri and Ellen Lee Lance ‘98 of Marshall, Missouri. The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recipient is Cortney Joliff-Mullins ‘14 of Marshall, Missouri. The anniversary classes of 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017 will also be recognized. 

 The 2022 MVC Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees include: the 1973 football team & coaching staff, Willard Ray Heath ‘42 (posthumously), James Booker ‘94, Dennis Rohr ‘95, Tim Cobb ‘01, and Matt Cobb ‘02.

The induction ceremony will take place Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Malcolm Center.

 For more information about homecoming 2022, visit http://www.moval.edu/alumni/homecoming/ or contact the office of alumni relations at 660-831-4006.

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Hall graduated from Missouri Valley College in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. He lettered three years in track and field and was a four-year letterman in football. While playing for the Vikings, Hall earned MCAU All-Conference honors his junior and senior year and Little College All-American honors as a senior. Hall played in four post-season bowl games, including the Tangerine and All-American Bowls, and became a member of  the Missouri Valley College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1971.

Following graduation, Hall continued his football career playing one season for the Pittsburgh Steelers and seven seasons for the Boston Patriots. Hall was selected to the All-AFL Team on two occasions; was selected to the Patriots 1960s All Decade Team at safety by the Patriot fans; was selected by the Boston media to the Patriots 35th Anniversary team as a defensive safety in 1995; currently holds two interception records with the Patriots: 3 in a game and 11 in a season and is 3rd in career interceptions with 30; and was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame in 2012.

An MVC reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, November 11. The reception will be held at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center with a cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony will be held on Sunday, November 12 at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center. The enshrinement reception will be held at 12 p.m. with the banquet and ceremony to follow at 1 p.m., tickets cost $150 and must be purchased in advance.

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center has a block of rooms available. To book a room, please contact the hotel at 816-908-9600 and reference the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame to receive a discount. If you plan to attend any of the events or would like to purchase tickets, please contact Aimee Dwyer at 660-831-4010, reservations must be made by Thursday, October 26.

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