University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Special Awards Salute: Kennan Timm (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) to join CoSIDA Hall of Fame at June induction ceremonies
by Tim Peterman, UW-Eau Claire Sports Information Director
May 28, 2012
“Longevity in a profession, although honorable, is not synonymous with greatness. It is not Mr. Timm’s 25-plus years in the sports information field that qualifies him for this award, but it is his significant contributions to the profession.”
That statement about CoSIDA Hall of Famer Kennan Timm was made by Todd Clark who had what he calls “the distinct honor to work with Mr. Timm, both as a student learning the profession and as a counterpart at an institution within the same conference” for 14 years.
Timm’s contributions to the profession include serving as the host media relations director for 19 NCAA Division III championship events in six different sports, as well as over 50 NCAA Division III regional tournaments. In 2007, Timm became the first Division III sports information director to host two national championship events on the same weekend. That spring, UW-Oshkosh hosted the finals for both baseball and track and field.
In all, Timm has served as the host media coordinator for the finals of NCAA Division III Championships in baseball (2000-2009), women’s basketball (1996), men’s and women’s cross country (1999, 2011), men’s and women’s indoor track and field (1994, 1997, 2001), men’s and women’s outdoor track and field (2007-08) and women’s volleyball (1996).
Clark said that Timm’s “infectious enthusiasm for his work, his integrity, his commitment and loyalty to the people and institution he serves, his willingness to go beyond expectations, and his genuine caring for others make him an outstanding sports information director.”
Lynn King, who was the UW-Oshkosh athletics director from 1988 to 1990 and has been at Division I Drake University and the University of Pacific since, said “Kennan is at the top of the list of SIDs that I’ve ever worked with.” King said one of Timm’s strengths is his “work ethic.” He was “unstoppable” recalled King. “He covered me. The background info he provided made me look good.” Two other traits that characterize Timm, according to King, are his professionalism and his loyalty. “He cared so deeply for the university,” recalled King.
Former UW-Oshkosh Athletics Director Allen Ackerman (1991-2010) called Timm “a dream to have as an SID.” Ackerman said Timm “bleeds Gold and Black (the school colors)” and “always makes sure the athletes and coaches are nominated for every possible award that they are deserving of.” Current AD Darryl Sims said that Timm “has raised the bar very high.”
As a credit to Timm and the efforts of others, the NCAA Division III baseball championship has been held in Appleton since 2000 and for the first 10 years was co-hosted by UW-Oshkosh and Lawrence University.
Lawrence SID Joe Vanden Acker says that “coaches single him out for praise in their post-game press conferences when they are asked questions pertaining to the event in Appleton.”
Former UW-Stevens Point SID and now Neenah (Wis.) High School Athletics Director Jim Strick said “Kennan has been the driving force in transforming the baseball tournament into one of Wisconsin’s premier annual sporting events.” Anthony Holman, Assistant Director of Championships for the NCAA, says “While it is true there are many that work to make our baseball championship successful, none do more than Kennan. He has been the ‘glue’ that has kept all of the efforts together.”
Tim Petermann, the long-time SID at UW-Eau Claire, said that Timm operates on the maxim that “No amount of genius can overcome a preoccupation with detail.” One of Timm’s protégés, Dan Lukes of St. Norbert College, echoed the same when he said “Kennan does not leave media members, or visitors to UW-Oshkosh’s web site, wanting for information. Even though there is no such thing as ‘too much’ information, Kennan leaves no stone unturned when it comes to any of UW-Oshkosh’s programs.”
Dave Johnson, one of his peers at UW-La Crosse, said Timm “has always been easy to talk to and readily available with encouragement and advice.” Vanden Acker acknowledged that “Kennan is a humble man who is always quick to thank the people with which he works.”
Timm began his career as a student at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and took over as the school’s full-time sports information director in 1982. Timm returned to his hometown in 1985 to become the sports information director at UW-Oshkosh, a position he has held since.
Timm already owns one major CoSIDA award, receiving the Warren Berg Award at the 2009 convention in San Antonio, Texas. He has also collected 12 CoSIDA publication awards.
While at UW-Oshkosh, Timm has been in charge of publicizing one of the most successful athletics programs in the country. UW-Oshkosh has captured 29 NCAA Division III titles since Timm’s arrival. His tenure at UW-La Crosse included the promotion of three national championship teams and the hosting of one national championship event.
Timm has organized and chaired three major fundraising activities at UW-Oshkosh, including the Titan Extravaganza Party, which has raised over $190,000 for the athletics department in 20 years. A Titan Getaway Raffle he created brought in more than $57,000 from 1991-97.
Timm has seen five of his former student assistants continue in the sports information profession. Among them are Clark, former UW-La Crosse Sports Information Director and current Director of Communications for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association; Lukes, current St. Norbert College Sports Information Director; and Becky Bohm, former University of Minnesota Associate Sports Information Director.
In 1984, Timm was a member of the media relations staff for wrestling at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif. He has been the official statistician for the Wisconsin high school football all-star game since 1985 and the official scorer for the state’s high school baseball tournament since 1998. Timm also served three years as a spotter for WBAY-TV when the station broadcasted Green Bay Packer preseason football games.
Timm and his wife, Janis, reside in De Pere with their children, Jennifer (14) and Cory (11).
