By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Tim Atwell
Tim Atwell, athletic director at Kewanee High School, recently was named “Class 1A & 2A State Athletic Director of the Year” by the Illinois Athletic Directors Association (IADA).
For more than three decades, Atwell has guided student experiences through education, athletics, and community engagement.
Information received from the IADA states, “As Athletic Director at Kewanee High School, his work reflects a belief that athletics is about more than competition, it is about opportunity, pride, and helping students see their own potential. Through careful stewardship, programs, facilities, and relationships, he has built an athletic department centered on student visibility, growth and community connection.”
Atwell graduated from Geneseo High School (then known as JD Darnall High School), in 1984, earned an Associate of Arts degree from Black Hawk College-West Campus, and a Bachelor of Science in Physical education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
He continued his graduate studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, earning a Master of Science in Special Education, and later completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Western Illinois University.
His professional career began in coaching and teaching before evolving into athletic administration.
His early roles included volunteer and assistant wrestling coaching at Geneseo, then teaching, coaching and administrative service in several districts. Since 1998, he has served Kewanee High School as a Driver Education instructor and athletic leader. He coached wrestling, girls’ track, football, and other programs before becoming the full-time athletic administration in 2010.
Atwell’s Leadership extends into professional service organizations. He has been a member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association since 2010, serving as District #11 Representative since 2019 and mentoring new athletic administrators.
His contributions to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) include committee service, officiating baseball, softball, and wrestling, and hosting postseason contests. Under his leadership, Kewanee High School has hosted regional and sectional tournaments in golf, basketball, wrestling, softball, and football playoff competition.
He also has continued to be deeply involved in community connection and has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for students at Kewanee High School. Since becoming athletic director, programs such as boys swimming, competitive dance, competitive cheer, boys’ soccer, girls golf, girls wrestling and contest play have been added to the department’s offerings.
His professional honors include having been named IADA District #11 Athletic Director of the Year and Division 4 Athletic Director of the Year multiple times, including recognition for the 2025-2026 school year. Additional honors include the 2025-2026 Country Financial Teacher Spotlight Award and designation as an honorary “Boilermaker” by Kewanee High School.
Information received from the Illinois Athletic Directors Association also includes, “Whether coordinating conference scheduling for TRAC Athletic Directors, leading all-conference selection processes, or mentoring colleagues across the region, Atwell’s influence reaches far beyond Kewanee. His career reflects steady leadership, quiet dedication, and a commitment to creating athletic experiences where students feel valued, celebrated, and inspired.”
Atwell previously announced his retirement as Athletic Director at Kewanee at the end of this school year.
