Former Bradley basketball coach Stowell honored in the area where he lived in Peoria

Peoria, IL, USA 102.7 Super Hits

Jim Stowell, son of Marilyn and Joe Stowell, points at an honorary street sign in honor of his parents during a ceremony in Peoria on August 7th, 2026. (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)

PEORIA, Ill. – The area where a legendary Bradley basketball coach lived is now named in honor of him and his wife.

At a ceremony on Friday morning at the corner of Callendar and Institute, the 1500-block of Callendar was named the “Honorary Marilyn and Joe Stowell” Avenue.

Stowell was a former player for the Bradley men’s basketball team, and also served as the men’s and women’s head coach for the Braves. He passed away in February at the age of 99.

Stowell’s son, Jim, was one of those who pulled away a black cover to reveal the new honorary street sign. He says his father meant everything to him.

“He was just not a mentor, a coach, a friend, and a confidant, but a leader, and taught me you want to be a leader and give back to the community that serves you so well, you want to serve it,” Stowell said.

Stowell recalled his days growing up in the area of all kinds of people visiting the family and playing games in the streets with the neighborhood kids.

Stowell credits 2nd District Councilman Alex Carmona with getting the ball rolling on the process to name the street after his father.