(4-28-22) The Rockford School Board agreed tto appoint Williamson as the district’s Director of Athletics, Activities and Program Development.

Dawn Williamson comes from Beloit College, most recently as the director of recreation and activity. For six years she worked as an assistant athletic director, and she brings experience as the college’s associate director of admissions and coordinator of athletic recruitment.

The interview committee selected Williamson because of her extensive experience as a successful program administrator and coach who brings leadership skills in mentoring and management, plus enthusiasm for intramurals and recreation.

Chief Communications Officer Earl Dotson Jr.

“Her passion is infectious. She will do a great job connecting with our students and families, in addition to ensuring we continue to focus on the student part of every student athlete.”

Williamson moved to Rockford in 2007 to be closer to family and for a job opportunity at Beloit College. In addition to her administrative roles at Beloit College, Williamson coached volleyball there for more than a decade where she was named Midwest Conference Coach of the Year, led the Buccaneers to conference tournament titles and qualified for the NCAA tournament. Her team’s best winning percentage – .800 – came the season her team earned a 24-6 record. She has additional college-level coaching experience at the University of Rochester, plus varsity and middle school coaching experience in Texas. She also has experience as a physical education teacher and curriculum coordinator.

Dawn Williamson, Director of Athletics, Activities and Program Development

Rockford is a special place, and it’s my honor to champion athletics here. I want to help RPS 205 students and families understand the inherent value that sports bring to students. I am grateful to the interview committee for this opportunity, and I am very much looking forward to this new role.

Williamson and her husband, Lamar, have three children: Sophia, VJ, and Vickie and she is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. 

Williamson is a former Division I athlete who played volleyball on a scholarship for Big Ten powerhouse University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a multi-year Academic All-Big Ten selection for the Badgers. Playing for UW-Madison led to an assistant coaching job for the men’s and women’s volleyball teams at Princeton University, in addition to an internship in marketing and athletic department management. That role launched her love of coaching.

Williamson added –

“Sports offer something intangible. It’s more than kicking a ball or running fast. It’s focusing on fitness and respecting the team concept. Competition is exciting, but so many other things are happening behind the scenes. That same hard work required to be successful in athletics is required in the classroom. That same drive and work ethic will lead to success after graduation, too, in college, career and all aspects of life.”

Williamson replaces Mat Parker who was put on administrative leave by RPS 205 in December, he is no longer working in the district. Guilford AD Augie Toldo held down the position since that time on an interim basis.

The RPS 205 Director of Athletics, Activities and Program Development provides leadership with site administrators of athletics, coaches and programming, in addition to leadership, guidance, coordination and supervision of extra- and co-curricular athletic programs. Williamson is excited to bring a new perspective to athletics in Rockford and RPS 205. “Athletic competition helped me learn to lead, prioritize persistence and how to cultivate success,” she said. “I want Rockford’s students to experience those same benefits.”

Story courtesy Rockford Public Schools

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