Janie Boschma

When Tim Petermann arrived at UW-Eau Claire as a freshman 40 years ago, little did he know it would become his long-term home.

“I came to Eau Claire as a journalism major hoping to get into sports writing,” he said.

Three weeks into the semester, he got his wish.

While in a kinesiology class with the head football coach, Petermann landed a job providing the media with information about the football team.

After that season, the basketball and baseball coaches knew about him as well.

“By the time I was a senior, I was working 40 hours a week,” he said. “The athletic director then said maybe we can make this a full-time position.”

From then on, Petermann served as the sports information director, responsible for maintaining athletic records, preparing press releases, distributing photos and sending results to newspapers.

Eventually, he started taking up administrative duties in athletics by dealing with finances, travel, organizing special events and awards and overseeing the conference and NCAA eligibility certification process.

But as of July 31, he stepped down, and a new face is seen around the office.

Kevin Meinholz, a May 2007 graduate of UW-Eau Claire, is the new interim sports information director.

Meinholz worked with Petermann all through college and said he is excited to continue his work with the university full time.

“There was still a lot of stuff that I wish I could have done before I left (UW-Eau Claire) with athletics,” he said. “And now I have the opportunity.”

And if Meinholz ever has any questions about his new job, Petermann said he will still be around.

Petermann said his decision to step down was a financial one.

“It just made sense to get out at this time,” he said.

But since he is only 58 years old, he said he doesn’t want to retire quite yet.

Petermann currently serves as senior administrative specialist for the athletics department and is training people to take over his prior responsibilities.

“There are a lot of things in my head that aren’t on paper yet,” he said, adding that over the course of this year everything will be organized.

Meinholz said he is comforted by the fact that Petermann is still around.

“He’s a great guy,” he said. “I really enjoyed working with him . if there are questions I have, I can go to him.”

Senior Paul Huset, who started working with Petermann his sophomore year, agreed.

“There’s nothing bad to say about (Petermann),” Huset said with a laugh. “He’s a great guy . the continual work ethic is the most memorable thing.”

In his spare time, Petermann said he hopes to organize the historical documents in athletics over the past 40 years and write a book recounting the history of the Blugold athletics program. But for now, Petermann said he is still getting used to his new position.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”