IADA Hall of Fame

Art Rohlman was a member of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association for 24 years, from 1985-2009. During those 24 years, Art was the athletic director at DeKalb High School for 20 years and at Elgin High School for four years. Art also spent several years coaching football, basketball and track. He served as the IADA Conference Prize Committee Chair for five years. Art was named the IADA Division Athletic Director of the Year for his outstanding service to his school and to the organization.

Doug Smith, retired athletic director, says, “Art has been a very active member of the IADA, serving on numerous state and convention committees. He has served as an excellent mentor for new athletic administrators entering the profession. Art was a leader in the Upstate Eight Conference for many years. His service to the IHSA is second to none. During his tenure, whether it was at DeKalb or Elgin, he hosted everything from the regional to state tournaments on behalf of the IHSA. He was one of the first event managers to host an IHSA event at a college venue. This has now become common practice due in large part to Art’s efforts.”

Art Rohlman is a 1971 graduate from Northern Illinois University where he was a three-time letter winner in basketball. Art was a graduate assistant on the staff at NIU in 1971-72. That team was considered by many to be one of the greatest ever assembled at NIU. Art was later named to the NIU Hall of Fame.

After serving as an assistant, Rohlman took the reins at Ottawa Marquette High School as head basketball coach and proceeded to win back-to-back regional championships in his only two seasons. In 1980, Rohlman moved onto coach at DeKalb until 1986, winning regional titles in 1983 and 1984. In 1990, Art was inducted as a player into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Art is also a charter member of the Ottawa Marquette High School Hall of Fame.

Art Rohlman’s steadfast dedication to his community and his colleagues has garnered him much praise and recognition from his peers, but the honor of induction to the Illinois Athletic Directors Hall of Fame is the culmination of his efforts to be the best athletic director he could be for the student-athletes and coaches he served.