Don Rothermich Professional Development Award

The Don Rothermich Professional Development Award is presented to an MIAAA member who has demonstrated a commitment and passion to professional development for the MIAAA membership. This award is named after Don Rothermich, who was instrumental in providing leadership training and professional development opportunities for MIAAA members over his entire career in the MIAAA as an LTC State Coordinator. Don was also a Jim Teff Award winner given yearly to a member of the national professional development staff.

2024	Mike McGurk, CMAA	Lee's Summit North HS
2025	Dr. Doug Kuhlmann, CMAA	Lutheran St. Charles

Beloved husband of Beth Rothermich; dearest father of Chad (Kim) Rothermich and Jaclyn (Brandon) Hill; dear grandfather of Grayson and Cameron Hill and Caden Rothermich; loving son of the late Floyd and Imogene (Baker) Rothermich; brother of Derrill Rothermich and Rev. Terry Rothermich; brother-in-law of Karen (Gene) Walker; our dear uncle, great-uncle, and friend of many.

Don was born in St. Charles on April 4,1950 to Floyd and Imogene Rothermich. He completed his undergraduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from the University of Missouri. He earned his Master’s in Administration from Truman State. In 1971 he married Beth his high school sweetheart; and along the way they welcomed two wonderful children to their family who became the most important part of his life.

Don was a devoted husband, father, and avid fisherman. He believed March 1st (the opening of Trout season) was a national holiday. He also loved to travel, especially to Colorado, all sports and spending time with friends. Above all, he was a spiritual man with a strong belief in the power of God.

For 34 years, Don was involved in education first as a teacher in Lindbergh School District and then moving to Parkway District. During those years, he coached a variety of sports, but his heart found a home in Girls Softball especially at Parkway Central High School. In 1981 his team won the State Championship. He spent countless hours on the softball field teaching his athletes to love the game; but more importantly he taught his players about life and becoming the person they envisioned.

In 1995, Don became an Athletic and Activities Director at Parkway Central. As a problem-solver who often took on difficult and unwanted projects at work he had a major impact on fields, facilities, and programs. But to the people who knew him best, his greatest success was connecting with the athletes, coaches and administrators who surrounded him. Don was recognized for his work by receiving the John Schnell Dedication Award and the Pillar of Parkway Award.

As an Athletic Director he became involved with the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrator Association, MIAAA. Valuing the importance of the educational programs, he was asked to become the State LTI coordinator. During his tenure, he worked to build a stronger educational program for the state association and to educate the future generation of athletic directors.

In 2005 Don was awarded the 25-year Distinguished Service Award (MIAAA) In 2009 Don received the St. Louis District AD of the year Award and the MIAAA State Athletic Director of the Year Award. The Gerald Linneman Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Don in 2018. In addition to all the state awards, the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) - of which he was a Faculty Member - awarded him the NIAAA State Award of Merit in 2014, the Jim Teff Achievement Recognition in 2016, and in 2019 the Missouri State NIAAA Award of Merit.