By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Tim Atwell has been named an “Honorary Boilermaker,” at Kewanee High School. Contributed Photo
Tim Atwell recently was named an “Honorary Boilermaker” in appreciation of his 28 years of service in education at Kewanee High School. The honor was presented in conjunction with his retirement announcement as Athletic Director at Kewanee High School, a position he has held for the last 15 years.
Atwell, the son of Kenney Atwell, Geneseo, and the late Genendal Atwell, graduated from Geneseo High School (formerly J.D. Darnall High School) in 1984.
He spent six years farming with his father, raising corn, cattle, and hogs. During that time, he volunteered with the Geneseo Junior High Wrestling Program, laying the foundation for a lifetime of service to young people.
His last day of teaching in Kewanee will be June 30, 2026, after 28 years at Kewanee High School, where he started in 1998, teaching Driver’s education and coaching – head freshman football coach, head wrestling coach and head girls’ track and field coach.
“When I step away, I can honestly say this has been a very ‘fast’ 28 years and it has been a very rewarding career with many fond memories.”
He will retire with 34 ½ years in education and he explained the ½ year was spent substituting in the Geneseo School District when he graduated from college and he was freshman wrestling coach at Geneseo High School, working with Coach Larry Kanke.
“I am very grateful to the Geneseo School District and to Mr. Ted McAvoy, who at that time was GHS principal, for allowing me to get my feet wet teaching and coaching that year.”
His 28 years at Kewanee High School include serving as Kewanee High School Athletic Director for 15 years (2011-2026). He served as Athletic Director in his first year of teaching at Paw Paw High School (1994-1995) and he also taught for three years at Cahokia High School.
Information received from Kewanee High School’s Jacob Dean, about Atwell receiving the “Honorary Boilermaker” recognition states: “It was Geneseo High School Wrestling Coach Larry Kanke (now retired) who encouraged (Tim Atwell) him to take classes at Black Hawk College to become a teacher and coach. He transferred to Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, in the fall of 1990, where he joined the SIU-E Wrestling Team. He worked closely with legendary coach Larry Kristoff, assisting with practices, wrestling meets, and team organization. His leadership and dedication earned him a scholarship during his senior year, and he graduated in 1993.”
After graduation, Atwell returned to farming while substitute teaching in Geneseo before taking positions at Paw Paw High School and Cahokia High School.
In 1998 he joined the staff at Kewanee High School.
Information from Jacob Dean includes, “In his time at KHS, he has taught driver education, coached football, wrestling, and track, served as athletic director, and captured countless memories through his photography at nearly every event. His impact, however, cannot be measured by job titles or bullet points.”
“If you earned your driver’s license, it’s probably because of him. If you ever played a sport or attended an extracurricular event, it’s because of his commitment. If you’ve seen an unforgettable picture on our walls, it was likely through his lens.”
Jacob Dean’s tribute to Atwell continued, “Beyond his professional contributions, he has embodied the true spirit of a ‘Boilermaker,’ ---dressing in head-to-toe orange at assemblies, stocking candy for stressed-out teachers and students, sharing a good conversation with anyone who needs it, and always putting others before himself. He has spent his career encouraging students, athletes, and colleagues to be their very best, never asking for anything in return…. Simply put, he has lived and breathed the Boilermaker tradition. His retirement this year will leave a void we cannot fill, but his legacy will remain an enduring part of Kewanee High School.”
When asked about his retirement plans, Atwell said, “As far as plans go, nothing has been set. But I do need to catch up on laundry.”