Former WIU men’s basketball coach passes away at age 81

QUINCY — We all need to be as lucky as Jim Kerwin.

As you read his obituary, you learn he lived a life that he loved.

The former Western Illinois University men’s basketball coach passed away last Friday in Rogers, Ark. He was 81. Kerwin and his wife moved to Rogers in 2017 to be closer to his family after decades of being somewhat nomadic as a coach.

He coached at eight different schools ranging from high school to junior college to NCAA Division I. WIU happened to be his last stop.

Hired in 1992, Kerwin spent 11 seasons in Macomb, leading the Leathernecks to double-digit victories six times. He was the Mid-Continent Conference Coach of the Year in 1999. He led WIU to three consecutive Mid-Con Tournament title games from 1995-97, which included a 20-8 campaign in 1994-95.

He retired in 2003 as WIU’s fourth-winningest coach with a 135-174 record.

The outpouring of respect for Coach Kerwin from former players and colleagues on social media has been tremendous. It’s what you might expect for someone with an outgoing personality and zest for life.

His obituary, which you can read here, ends with this final tribute:

In lieu of flowers or donations, please go yell at a random basketball official in his memory, or just send all of your funny memories and/or stories to us so that we can continue to pass on Jim’s legacy to his grandchildren and future generations.