Senior Staff
Steve Nelson – Tournament Director
Mr. Nelson has been involved with the South Florida basketball community for over 30 years, as a player, coach, official and executive. Beginning as a player and coach with the Coral Springs Basketball Club in the late 1980’s, Steve went on to serve the club as a board member and President for over ten years. For four years during the early 1990’s, he co-chaired the Masters Tournament with then Tournament Director Dave Hulett, helping to build a foundation for the future of the tournament. He also played in the tournament for a number of years. Steve is currently semi-retired. Steve and his wife Susan currently reside in Coral Springs.
Jerry Hauck – Asst. Tournament Director – Gym Operations
Coming to Coral Springs from the Buffalo New York area, Mr. Hauck is now retired from a successful career in the Glass and Mirror business. Jerry was a part of the basketball community in the city of Coral Springs for over 30 years. He joined the Coral Springs Basketball Club as a coach and player in the Men’s League in the summer of 1981.
He managed the league for many years, retiring from active service in 2011. He also had seven successful seasons as the Girls Varsity Coach at Douglas High School. With a decade of Masters tournament experience as Supervisor of Gym Operations, it is Mr. Hauck’s responsibility to make certain that all of the shot and games clocks in the gym are set up and operating properly, that the basketballs are in proper condition and that all gym facilities are in first class shape to conduct a quality tournament. Jerry has never failed to have everything ready.
Abbie Tepe-Murphy – Asst. Tournament Director – Administration
Coming to Nova Southeastern University after playing her high school ball in the Cincinnati area, Abbie had an outstanding college career. A premier Point Guard for the Sharks, Abbie is the third all-time scorer for the Nova Women’s program. She finished with 1029 points and she was also a program leader in assists, steals, free throws made, rebounding and games played. In addition, she was also named to a number of All Conference and All Tournament teams in the Sunshine State Conference.
While working on her Masters’ degree in Sports Administration, she was named as a graduate assistant coach in 2011 and in May of 2014 was promoted to full time Assistant coach.
During her time as an assistant coach, the team has compiled an overall winning record with two Sunshine State Conference Regular Season Championships, two SSC Tournament Championships, as well as four appearances in the NCAA Women’s Division II Elite Eight by the program.
Abbie has worked for the MBA tournament since the May of 2008 and served as Office Manager for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 tournaments. Based on the outstanding job she has done as well as her outstanding educational background, she was promoted to MBA Assistant Tournament Director for Administration in 2016.
Pete Battaglia – Supervisor of Officials
Mr. Battaglia retired from Morgan Stanley in Dec. 2021 where he specialized in Retirement and Estate Planning. Mr. Battaglia has held the Supervisor of Officials position for the MBA for the past fifteen years and has been instrumental in bringing a very high level of quality to the MBA officiating staff. Mr. Battaglia has been officiating for over 40 years including over 30 years at the collegiate level.
Mr. Battaglia recruits primarily NCAA qualified officials and a few top-level high school officials. All officials receive an orientation regarding the unique nature of the tournament and of the professional performance level expected by the MBA Board.