Note: This story was originally published in Missouri Theta’s spring 2026 Theta Beat newsletter as part of SigEp’s Alumni Communication Program.

As a recipient of UCM’s Distinguished Alumni Award, Mitch Wheeler, Central Missouri ’79, has maintained close ties to the university all his life. The foundation for his University of Central Missouri relationships came from Sigma Phi Epsilon, which he was fortunate to encounter as a freshman.

Mitch attended another fraternity’s parties with his dorm roommate, but he didn’t feel noticed by any of the members. Then, a few days before the semester started, SigEp brothers came by his dorm room. They offered help with moving in and learning about campus and invited him to recruitment. It was a completely different experience: the brothers made sure guests like Mitch were in constant conversation. Mitch moved into Missouri Theta’s house that fall and was proud to live there all four years.

“College life is a big adjustment, and I wanted to do well and honor my parents’ investment,” Mitch said. “My Fraternity brothers modeled how you could have fun with intramurals and parties while putting an emphasis on getting your studies done.” Living with about 75 people for four years taught Mitch how to treat others with respect and get along, even when they didn’t agree. SigEp’s philanthropic work also paved a path to his future marketing career.

Rolling forward

Mitch served as philanthropy chairman his sophomore year, tasked with planning the event that changed his life. For the “Spirit Roll,” Missouri Theta brothers rolled a wheelchair from Warrensburg to the state capitol in Jefferson City to raise money for Easterseals, a charity that serves disabled adults and children. The 90-mile relay took a day and a half with brothers handing off the wheelchair every two miles, supported by the Highway Patrol and a farmer that let them camp on his land overnight. This weekend event raised over $10,000 — about 10 times their goal.

Spirit Roll’s success got Easterseals’ attention, and the organization invited Mitch to its national youth board; networking with other youth leaders sharpened his event organizing skills. The chapter held the event again during Mitch’s junior year, this time rolling to Arrowhead Stadium and raising $25,000. Through that collaboration, Mitch met the man who eventually became his boss at the Kansas City Chiefs; he started in sales and marketing for the team immediately after graduating.

“I value my Central Missouri education greatly, but looking back, the things that helped me get hired at the Chiefs were what I did through the Fraternity. There was not a more intense four-year period where I got to learn those fundamentals.”

With the Chiefs, Mitch was honored to build professional relationships with AFL founder Lamar Hunt and current NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He went on to found a marketing agency called MAI Sports, which worked with virtually every major sports entity, from the NBA and NFL to NASCAR and the Olympics.

The same year Mitch became a Distinguished Alumni, MAI Sports won the Mr. K Small Business of the Year award in Kansas City. Mitch later spent three years with the Royals, taking part in the Kauffman Stadium renovation in the late 2000s. “By spending my career in sports marketing, I got paid to spend time with teams that people pay good money to see!”

Brotherhood lasts

Many of the brothers Mitch met in SigEp were in his wedding, did business with him over the years, and remain in touch through events like the annual Christmas party in Kansas City. Several have joined him as Distinguished Alumni, and they often meet at the award dinner each homecoming. Missouri Theta attendance is especially high with each new induction!

In 2013, Mitch started a foundation called The Battle Within to support veterans and first responders with PTSD. Participants travel from all 50 states to go through the Kansas City-based program absolutely free. Mitch is grateful for the foundation’s longtime support from multiple Missouri Theta brothers, who donate and attend fundraisers like the annual Wiffle ball tournament. He boasts that The Battle Within has the coolest Wiffle ball stadium on the planet — thanks in part to legendary sports groundskeeper George Toma.

Mitch lives in the Kansas City area with his wife of 42 years, Amy, who has stood with him through his career and philanthropy endeavors. They have four children and 12 grandkids who keep them busier every year. “I’m very close with them all, and I’m so incredibly blessed from a family support system.”