If you attend any major high school or college track and field meet in the state of Iowa, chances are, Tim Sweet will be working at least one of the throwing events.
Tim, who lives just west of Des Moines in DeSoto, spent 47 years on the road as a healthcare textiles salesman, retiring in 2017; but even with all of his traveling, Tim still found time to officiate track and field competitions.
He has attended every Drake Relays since 1962, but 3, and those 3 were for very good reason…he was serving our country in the Navy.
Tim’s son was a talented Middle-Distance runner at Illinois State in the early 90’s. In 1992 Hugh Norman told Tim the Drake Relays needed Shot Put officials, and might he be interested? Tim’s answer was “Of course”. Norman got Tim certified and not only did he get to help with the shot put, which in those days was always held on the infield in turn one, he got to watch his son compete on the Blue Oval while only a few feet away.
Track and Field officiating has certainly kept Tim from getting bored in retirement. He has worked 30 USATF championship meets from Junior Olympics to Masters. He has worked at least 12 collegiate national championships and he has been a part of every Iowa high school state track and field championship meet since 1992.
April 2018 marked 26 years as a Drake Relays official for Tim Sweet, the last 7 as the Head Judge for the Discus.