Former Wheaton College head men’s soccer coach Joe Bean passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the age of 85.
The late Joe Bean served as the head coach of Wheaton College’s men’s soccer team for 37 seasons from 1969 to 2006.
Joe also showcased his exceptional coaching skills, serving as the head coach of other renowned colleges, including Quinnipiac and Bridgeport.
In addition to coaching the soccer team, Joe also served as the professor of physical education, director of admissions, head men’s golf coach, assistant baseball coach, and many other positions during his tenure at Wheaton College.
Joe Bean was one of the most renowned men’s soccer coaches at Wheaton, making the history of winning the most games at the time of his retirement in 2006.
He won 607 matches in 45 years with a record of 606-185-61 (74.7%). Joe has the second-highest win total in Division III men’s soccer history and is third in all collegiate men’s soccer to date.
Similarly, during his tenure at Wheaton, his team made 32 postseason appearances with a record of 44-26-5.
Bean also led his team to five NCAA Division III Final Four appearances, with national championships in 1984 and 1997 and two national runner-up finishes in 1999 and 2006.
The late Joe Bean was also inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame and the NSCAA and NISOA Hall of Fame.
His legacy and contribution to the Wheaton community will always be remembered.
Wheaton College and the whole Illinois community mourn the demise of the legendary coach Joe Bean.
Moreover, Wheaton College took to their official social media to pay tribute to their former coach.
They wrote,
“The Wheaton Athletics community is saddened by the passing of Joe Bean on Thurday, Coach Bean retired as Wheaton’s men’s soccer coach at the conclusion of Wheaton’s 2006 NCAA Division III Runner-up season.”
Wheaton College Athletics
Wheaton College Athletics further invited people to share any memories or stories of Coach Bean in the post’s comments as they celebrate his life.
In response to his demise, many of his loved ones are sending their heartfelt condolences to his family and recalling Joe Bean’s contributions to sports.
Joe Bean Is Survived By His Longtime Wife, Shirley Bean And Four Children!
Left to cherish the life of the late Joe Bean are his longtime wife Shirley Bean, four children Laurie Bean Narup, Pam Bea Thonn, JT, and TJ, his sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Joe Bean was not just a great soccer coach but also an amazing husband to his longtime wife, Shirley Bean, and the proud father of his four children.
While very little information about his wife, Shirley Bean, is available, Joe often shared glimpses of their romantic life on his social media.
Talking about Joe Bean’s children, his daughter Laurie Bean Narup currently lives in Batavia, Illinois, with her husband, Dave Narup, children, and grandchildren.
Laurie attended Wheaton North High School and earned her Paralegal degree from Roosevelt University. She also earned her early childhood education degree from Taylor University.
Moreover, Laurie’s daughter Brittnee Meghan Barstatis, a singer-songwriter, took to her social media to pay tribute to her late grandfather, Joe Bean.
Brittnee shared several pictures of her late grandfather with a caption:
“It is such a comfort to drop the tangles of life in God’s hands and leave them there.” 💜
Brittnee Meghan Barstatis
My Poppi left our world this morning. I will cherish your strength and encouragement every moment. I love you Poppi you created one incredible family. Your legacy lives forever. Just wish I could hear you yell “BRITTY you turn that game back on RIGHT NOW! I wasn’t sleeping!” One last time.”
Joe Bean’s son, TJ Bean, has been the Institutional Sales and Financial Services Professional at SouthState Duncan Williams in Memphis, Tennessee, since September 2024.
Before that, he worked as an Institutional Sales officer at KeyBanc Capital Markets for over 12 years and a fixed-income sales officer at Piper Jaffray for five years.
TJ Bean earned his bachelor of Arts degree in 1993 from Wheaton College, where his father worked for years. He has three sons, Trevor, Dawson, and Casey, with his longtime wife, Brooke Bean.
Moreover, Bean’s other son, JT Bean, serves as the Lead Pastor of Ebenezer Reformed Church and graduated from Wheaton College. No information about his other daughter, Pam Thonn, is available.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Joe Bean was born in April 1939. He attended Butler Township High School and graduated from East Stroudsburg University.
- The soccer field at Wheaton College was named Joe Bean Stadium in 2006.
- Joe Bean was the president of the NSCAA and was given its highest honor at the 47th annual banquet in 1989.
- He was also the first NSCAA/NISOA Merit Award recipient for sportsmanship and integrity.
