One individual has been a central figure in all of those successes, as well as the achievements of the school’s athletics department for the past 24 years: athletic director Todd Coy.

And on Friday, he was honored for all that he has done for Hawk Nation.

With his family by his side, Coy received the Administrator Award from the Iowa High School Athletic Association during halftime of the Class 4A state championship basketball game. Wife Missy, and sons Ben, Casey and Colton stood with him at center court when he was presented a plaque by Brent Cook, a member of the IHSAA board and the current athletic director at Dubuque Senior.

As someone who likes to remain in the background, Coy admitted he was out of his element. But he was grateful to everyone who helped him attain the award.

South Hamilton Athletic Director Todd Coy (left) receives the IHSAA Administrator Award from Brent Cook, the athletic director at Dubuque Senior, Friday night in Des Moines. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

“It’s special, yeah. Embarrassing, yeah,” Coy said while chuckling. “But it would not be possible if I did not have the administration I work for, the community I’m involved in, the coaches I get to deal with on a daily basis, and the kids that we’ve had. If you don’t have those things, you don’t get the recognition that I get based on their efforts.”

Originally from Mosinee, Wisconsin, and a graduate of Simpson College, Coy has been at South Hamilton for 31 years, and has served as the school’s athletic director for the last 24. He was also a football coach for 24 years, 11 of them as the head coach, the head wrestling coach for 11 years, and a junior high track coach for six years.