Hall of Fame
Joe Tewinkel served at Crown from 1955-1996. He served as Director of Athletics from 1957-1963. During that time, women’s basketball, wrestling, cross country, and baseball all began as varsity sports. In addition to his responsibilities as director, Tewinkel’s athletic involvement at Crown also included coaching women’s basketball for three years, and men’s basketball for eight. Tewinkel was an instrumental part of men’s basketball since its beginnings in 1956.
Tewinkel has also served the college in multiple ways as a professor of several disciplines including Bible, English, and music. He has been dean of men, college vice president and even served as interim president from 1980-1981. In addition to his responsibilities at Crown, Tewinkel was heavily involved in various other pursuits including serving as a church music minister, composing four musical dramas, and authoring Crusaders, a history of Crown College (St. Paul Bible College). Tewinkel not only taught the value of education but lived it as well. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Whitworth College, and went on to for further education at Crown, Bethel Seminary, Luther Seminary, and the University of Minnesota – most while he was employed full time at Crown. Tewinkel retired from the college in 1996 after 41 years of service. In 2000 a brand new men’s dormitory was named in his honor.
Joe and his wife Rae Ann reside in Waconia and have 3 children, 4 grandchildren.
