Pat Atwell Named as Culver Stockton Athletic Director

Pat Atwell is the next director of athletics at Culver Stockton college.Culver Stockton President Kelly M. Thompson made the announcement today. (TUES) Atwell officially takes over on November 10th.

Atwell was the athletic director at Quincy University from 2001 until 2007 before taking a similar position at Drury University in Springfield Missouri.  He has nearly 30 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics as an athlete, coach or administrator.  Atwell  also served as the head baseball coach at Quincy University.

Dr. Thompson notes Atwell’s extensive professional experience, successful fundraising capabilities and exceptional interpersonal skills among the key attributes that led to his selection.

During Atwell's tenure at Drury, the Panther program ranked as one of the best in the nation. With Atwell at the helm, the DU program finished in the top 35 of the Learfield Director’s Cup national all-sports standings in each of his seven seasons, including a No. 11 finish in 2010-11 and 2013-14. During his tenure, Drury won 13 national championships, 12 in swimming and diving and one in men’s basketball. Drury won 19 conference championships in nine different sports and the student-athletes carried between a 3.30 and a 3.40 GPA every semester.

“I am honored to accept the position of Director of Athletics at Culver-Stockton College,” said Atwell. “I would like to thank President Thompson, the Board of Directors and members of the leadership team for the confidence that they have shown in providing this opportunity to me.

The chance to come back to this area was a major motivation for Atwell.  “Lisa and I are thrilled to be returning to the area,” said Atwell. “We spent 17 years here and have many lifelong friends that we are looking forward to reconnecting with. Both of our children Melissa and Eric were born and attended grade school here so it will be a homecoming of sorts. Making new friends while reconnecting with others will be a true joy. I am humbled by the opportunity and look forward to joining the team at Culver-Stockton College.”

Atwell began his coaching career as an assistant men’s basketball coach at SUNY-Alfred (N.Y.) before moving to Salem College (W. Va.) where he served as head women’s basketball coach and assistant baseball coach in 1986-87 and assistant men’s basketball coach in 1988-89. He was later named the head baseball coach at Salem-Teikyo University in 1989-90.

Atwell will assume his role at Culver-Stockton on Nov. 10 replacing Greg McVey who resigned on Sept. 11.