Hall of Fame
Known throughout the community and by the media as Stillie, SID, or Captain (reference to his career as a U.S. Naval officer), Stillwell guided the information flow for Bears athletics. He coordinated efforts for 23 sports while Southwest Missouri State/Missouri State traversed its way through seven different conferences and the ultimate elevation to NCAA Division I status in 1982. Missouri State played host to NCAA regional and national competition in eight sports during that period, and Captain Stillwell’s various publications were awarded more than 60 honors from CoSIDA and from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
The remarkable aspect of these achievements surrounds the fact that all were accomplished while Stillwell was serving in the Navy, a dedication he undertook during his years as a student at Drury. He then advanced to an active duty officer in the late 1960s and very early 1970s before returning to Reserve status and a career as SID.
It was in those early years at Missouri State that Officer Stillwell held command of four Springfield Navy Reserve units and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1977, full Commander in 1981, and subsequently, to Captain in 1988. Yes, had he chosen to continue for several more years, “Stillie” would have been eligible for Rear Admiral, but, after 28 years of service, and with the burden of civilian duties ever increasing, the Captain retired from Naval service in 1991.
Stillwell has been inducted into both Springfield’s and Missouri’s Sports Halls of Fame, as well as the college athletics Hall of Fame at Missouri State. Yet, until this upcoming CoSIDA Hall of Fame induction, the awarding of the Paul Morrison prize from the Missouri Valley Conference in 2008 has to rank among his most coveted possessions. Named for the long-time SID at Drake University, this annual presentation is bestowed on the individual making the most significant contributions to the league, and carries with it a place in the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame.