The Georgia Athletic Directors Association (GADA) has named Kirk Barton, Norcross High School’s Athletic Director, the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Lucia B. Norwood State Athletic Director of the Year award. The honor is presented to the state’s top athletic administrator at GADA’s annual conference. Barton has also been recognized as the Region 7-AAAAAAA Athletic Director of the Year.

     Jason Holcomb, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) director of Athletics, says GADA made the right choice. “Kirk Barton has worked at Norcross since 1999 and has served as the athletic director for the last 17 years,” Holcomb shares. “He has been a key part of the sustained success of Norcross High School’s athletics during that time and was also named the Georgia High School Association’s State Athletic Director of the Year for 2023-2024.”

    Barton was not the only GCPS athletic director honored at the conference. Archer High School’s Tim Watkins was named the Region 4-AAAAAAA Athletic Director of the Year, and Mill Creek High School’s Travis Techo was named the Region 8-AAAAAAA Athletic Director of the Year. “GCPS is honored to have these three athletic directors and 17 more who are dedicated to serving all our Georgia High School Association schools every year,” Holcomb says. “Tim Watkins is the only athletic director in the school's history. His hard work and dedication to the Archer community have spanned 15 years, and he has been able to help grow, foster, and support each and every program since day one. He has done a truly amazing job with that program and has been doing so from the very beginning.”

     Holcomb says Techo is an example of an up-and-coming athletic director who has done a fantastic job in a short amount of time. “Travis Techo is in his second year, and to be honored by his region as the athletic director of the year shows the tireless work he has poured into the Mill Creek High athletic program in just his second year. The leadership and vision of these three are what makes GCPS athletic departments among the best in the nation.”