Mike West is a seasoned sports executive with nearly 30 years of experience in sports management, fan engagement, and event leadership. He is in his second season as President of the Omaha Lancers, where he brings a bold vision and dynamic leadership to one of junior hockey's most storied franchises.
Under West's leadership, the home game experience was revolutionized in 2025-26. The Lancers became the USHL's fastest-growing franchise by attendance, saw a 20% increase in single-game ticket revenue, and had two sellout crowds (the first sellout since 2017). West furthered the Lancers involvement with the local community through the implementation of a adopt a school program and distributed 77,000 complimentary vouchers to over 100 schools in 14 different school districts. The result of the Lancers' jump in single-game attendance led to a 22-percent increase in season ticket revenue and a 17-percent increase in sponsorship sales.
West's work goes beyond just a rise in ticket sales. In 2025-26, he implemented the Omaha Lancers Holistic Care Program, hired a mental health coach and hired a strength and conditioning coach. He also oversaw changes to the Lancers nutrition program by implementing a refueling station and starting a training table prior to player study hall. West worked with the Lancers broadcast team to transform the Lancers' television broadcast to better align with an NHL broadcast.
West launched his career as Tournament Director for the Cox Classic on the PGA Tour's Nike Tour, quickly elevating the tournament to national prominence. In 2002, he joined Creighton University Athletics, where he helped usher in a transformative era—spearheading the Bluejay men's basketball program's move to the Qwest Center Omaha (now CHI Health Center) and leading marketing for six programs across four major venues. Under his leadership, Creighton achieved a rare triple crown in fan engagement, ranking top ten nationally in average attendance across men's basketball, soccer, and baseball.
A proven innovator, West went on to found MTT Management, a consulting and event management firm. His early consulting with the Omaha Lancers during the 2013–14 season helped deliver a near sell-out finish, foreshadowing his future impact with the team. He later served as CEO of the Omaha Equestrian Foundation, where he led efforts to bring the prestigious FEI World Cup Final to Nebraska for the first time.
West returned to college athletics in leadership roles at the University of South Dakota and the University of Nebraska-Omaha, his alma mater. At UNO, he oversaw a dramatic rise in hockey attendance—from 4,400 to over 7,000 fans per game in just two seasons—making the Mavericks the fastest-growing NCAA Division I hockey program in 2022–23. He is among the few sports executives to earn top-ten national attendance rankings in four different NCAA Division I programs. Most recently, he consulted with the Omaha Supernovas, helping the professional volleyball team lead their league in attendance in 2025, averaging over 11,000 fans per game.
A native Nebraskan with deep community ties, West is committed to revitalizing the Omaha Lancers through community engagement, strategic growth, and unforgettable fan experiences.
West earned his undergraduate degree in Education from the University of Nebraska Omaha and his master's degree in Sports Management from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. He and his wife, Laurie, have been married for seven years and have built a loving blended family of six adult children. West is the proud father of twin boys, Tyler and Trevor, from his first marriage, while Laurie's children—Allie, Rob, Jordy and Johnny—come from her first marriage.
Contact Mike at 402-660-5830 or mwest@lancers.com
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