Bill Tiegreen

Athletic Director 1966-1992

"William "Bill" Tiegreen was the first athletic director (AD) at Shawnee Mission South. He was the AD from 1966-1992, a career that spanned 27 impressive years. During his tenure, Shawnee Mission South won 52 team State Championships and 85 team Sunflower League Championships. During the 1970's, Bill presided over what may have been the most dominant decade in the history of big-school KSHAA sports when Shawnee Mission South won 34 team State Championships. Bill was known as a coach's AD. His approach was measured, contemplative, and supportive. He trusted coaches and showed that by not interfering and giving them the freedom to do what was best for their athletes. He had a knack for getting people to do their best regardless of the sport. He had a wonderful vision to create opportunities for both coaches and athletes. He helped assemble talented coaching staffs. He hired four coaches now enshrined in the Raider Athletic Hall of Fame - Bill McDonald, John Davis, Ron Millard, and Verlyn Schmidt. Most importantly, Bill was the AD when Title IX became federal law, and he wholly committed to both the letter and spirit of the law by creating athletic opportunities for female students at South. Bill Tiegreen was beloved by the many coaches he hired and supported. It certainly is fitting that the first administrator inducted into the Raider Athletic Hall of Fame is the first AD in the history of Shawnee Mission South. His enshrinement reflects both his commitment to the school and community and also the success that he helped create for Raider Athletics. Congratulations, Bill Tiegreen, your contributions to the athletic success of this great school are now forever celebrated."