FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Alan Farnquist, Athletic Director at Paw Paw High School, has been named Region 5 Athletic Administrator of the Year by the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA) for the 2024-25 school year. Alan was presented the award in Traverse City on March 15, 2025, at the annual MIAAA Mid-Winter Conference in which over 500 athletic directors participated.
Farnquist holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Western Michigan University, along with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University. Alan began his teaching career at Bloomingdale High School in 2003, teaching Math and Physical Education for seventeen years. In 2014, Farnquist was chosen to lead the Athletic Department in Bloomingdale. In 2020, Alan was hired by Paw Paw High School as their Athletic Director and is continuing to thrive in that role in year five.
Rick Reo, former Superintendent of Paw Paw Schools, says of Farnquist, “Alan is a detail-oriented and visible administrator who has worked hard to update Paw Paw’s athletic department since taking over his role. Alan developed the "Champions" mission for the athletic department that prides itself on the development of positive character attributes, academic excellence, sportsmanship and community involvement among its student-athletes and programs as a whole.”
Fellow Wolverine Conference Athletic Director Andy Hatt says, “Alan is the poster child of a servant leader. His focus and priorities are always about what is best for kids. If I am looking for advice or a second opinion, I can always count on Alan to give me a well thought out, student-centered response. He has been a friend and tremendous resource for me, and a leader within the Wolverine Conference.”
During his time as athletic director, Alan has been a devoted and committed member of the Michigan High School sports community. He organized, planned, and developed a student-officiating summit for Wolverine Conference Student Athletes in order to teach and register high school athletes as officials. He hosts countless meetings for the Wolverine Conference Athletic Directors and coaches. Paw Paw High School has also become a staple location for CAP meetings for the MHSAA. He is currently a member of both the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association as well as the American Baseball Coaches Association. He also currently serves as the Wolverine Conference chairperson for girls basketball, boys tennis, and girls tennis. Alan has been married to his wife Jessica for fifteen years and has two sons, Anderson and Cal.
The MIAAA is a 50+ year-old association with nearly 700 members serving as athletic administrators in numerous high schools and junior high/middle schools in Michigan. As partners with the Michigan High School Athletic Association, the MIAAA works to promote the educational value of interscholastic athletics and the role and profession of athletic director. The MIAAA is very proud to spotlight the work of Alan Farnquist, a man whose work and values best mirror those of the association.
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