Missouri Southern State University Athletics

Rylee Hartwell is entering his fourth year as the Director of Football Operations at Missouri Southern in 2023. 

Hartwell works primarily in organizing, planning, managing, and supervising all administrative services for the Missouri Southern Lion football program. He is responsible for developing, monitoring, and managing the program and activity budgets, contracts and logistics associated with football travel and events. His primary focus is to provide comprehensive support to the coaching staff and to collaborate with all campus departments to maintain a strong public image for the Lion football team.

Hartwell is an elected member of the Joplin Schools Board of Education and is currently serving a three-year term. He serves on the Missouri School Boards’ Association statewide board of directors. Hartwell is a Third-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Joplin Kiwanis Club.

Hartwell is a native of Joplin and is an alumnus of Missouri Southern, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and minor in Psychology. He is currently completing a Master of Science in Recreation and Sports Management.