Bill Deckelman State Award of Merit

Washington High School Activities Director Bill Deckelman Receives NIAAA State Award of Merit
Posted on 04/16/2021
Bill Deckelman AwardWashington High School Activities Director Bill Deckelman was awarded the State Award of Merit during the MIAAA (Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association) Spring Conference April 9-13 at Tan-Tar-A at the Lake of the Ozarks.

The State Award of Merit is selected and presented annually in each state. It is an award presented by the state (MIAAA) to an NIAAA (National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association) member who demonstrates outstanding leadership and meritorious service and achievement in the vocation of interscholastic administration. Selections and presentations are made by each state athletic administrator association and the award is provided by the NIAAA. It is the NIAAA's highest individual award.

“Mr. Deckelman works diligently to serve the student athletes, coaches, and families at Washington High School. He is very deserving of this recognition,” said Washington High School Principal Dr. Kelle McCallum.

“Our athletic department has been served in exemplary fashion and our student athletes should be honored to have Bill Deckelman as their athletic director for so many years,” said School District of Washington Superintendent Dr. Lori VanLeer. “He is truly deserving of this award as his work ethic, pride and attention to doing what is right should never go unnoticed.”

Deckelman has been with the School District of Washington for 22 years, 16 of which have been as the Activities Director at Washington High School and Middle School.

“It is a great honor to receive the NIAAA State Award of Merit. I know most of my colleagues don't ever like to be the center of attention as the AD, so I am humbled by the recognition,” Deckelman said. “This award is a reflection of the support systems that are in place at Washington. My job is made easier by having a great administrative assistant, dedicated coaching staff and amazing students to work with each and every day. I can't think of a better place to be than Washington when it comes to community support for the programs we offer at both the middle school and high school.”

Deckelman is now in elite company of area athletic directors who have received the State Award of Merit. Washington’s Jim Scanlan received the award in 1992 and Union’s Del Rinne received the award in 1997.

Bill is married to Ashley Deckelman, and has three children; McKenna, Devon and Brooklyn.

Bill Deckelman
Bill Deckelman


Bill Deckelman Award
State Award of Merit
Washington High School Activities Director Bill Deckelman, right, receives the the State Award of Merit from MIAAA (Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association) President Todd Schrader.

Bill Deckelman Award
State Award of Merit
Washington High School Activities Director Bill Deckelman, right, receives the the State Award of Merit from MIAAA (Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association) President Todd Schrader.