In Memory

Mike Atwood

Bryon Michael "Mike" Atwood was born on May 24th, 1963 to the late Max and Jacqueline Atwood. After graduating from college, he was hired as a mathematics teacher for North Newton High School. Throughout those eleven years, he coached football, wrestling, and baseball. His teaching and coaching career continued at Delphi High School, where he was blessed to coach all three of his children. After his time at Delphi, he was excited to return to where it all started as an Athletic Director. His 20+ years of service to the state of Indiana was highlighted by the immeasurable impact he had on his students and athletes. From helping with school, to letting wrestlers sleep over the night before a tournament. He never stopped caring for his students and athletes and there were no limits to the lengths he would go for them. But his proudest moments were those spent with his three children. He never missed a single wrestling match of Braden’s from the WCJC in 7th grade to the national tournaments at Purdue University. He never missed an opportunity to drive across country with Brittney and showed everlasting support for Michael in his multiple tours overseas. Outside of his family, he cherished the times he spent hunting, fishing, and golfing with his closest friends.

He is survived by Lynn Atwood and their children Michael and Ashley Atwood, Brittney Atwood, and Braden and Ashley Atwood with grandchild Lennon Atwood. He is predeceased by his brother Bryan Mark Atwood.

Viewing hours will take place on Thursday, November 4th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hippensteel Funeral Home, 822 N 9th St. Lafayette, IN 47904. The family requests that masks be worn during the visitation. The service will take place the following day at 11 a.m. at Hippensteel Funeral Home. A live webcast of the funeral service will be available on our website – www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com In lieu of flowers donations may be made to any of the following. Boilermaker Regional Training Center, Mackey Arena 900 N. University St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907 Attn: BRTC, North Newton Booster club or Delphi athletics Department. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com

 

The following is from Delphi High School Athletice Director/Assistant Principal, Kevin Sims:

I never heard Mike raise his voice at an Official or at his Athletes !  Amazingly he had a real soft demeanor on the outside, but was the ultimate competitor on the inside. 
His wrestling teams were always prepared to do Battle.  

2001-2019   Wrestling Coach at Delphi

6 Hoosier Conf. Championships

3 Team Sectional Championships at Lafayette 
2 Team Regional Championships 

2 Team State Qualifiers at Indianapolis (IHSAA STATE FINALS)

19 Individual State Qualifiers  (11 years in a row he took at least ONE to the State)

13 Individual State Placers  (1st - 8th place)

2 Individual State Runner Ups

1 Individual State Champion

2014 Inducted into the IHSWCA  Hall of Fame    

 

Unbelievable Career in Wrestling !!!

 

God Bless the Atwood Family for sharing Coach Atwood's life  with our Community !

"Once an Oracle always an Oracle"


The following is from a former student/athlete of Mike Atwood's:

The world lost a great man yesterday Mike Atwood or as many of us called him Coach. Coach was a one of a kind special man that touched and changed hundreds and probably even thousands of lives including mine. He was the old school tough love kind that had the biggest heart you could imagine. He knew you were always capable of more and pushed you to achieve more. This man took me under his wing as a chubby very unathletic freshman, at that time I was going to provide no value to his wrestling team but he saw something in me I did not see in myself and no one else saw in me. He would come in early in the morning and open the weight room for me, he would stay after practice and give me individual coaching, he would let me stay the night at his house when I did not have a ride to a tournament the next day. He paid for USA wrestling card and bought me a reversible singlet so I could wrestle freestyle and Greco, he paid for me to get into countless tournaments. All of that for an average wrestler and a below average student. He was the father figure I needed the forearm to the back of the head when I needed it, an ear to listen and vent to and a voice of reason in such pivotal moments in my life. I am not the only one this man did this same exact thing for every kid that needed it. He single handled changed and molded the path of my life, I work in a school with kids and I coach because of him. Everyday I try to be the father, coach and man that he was to try and honor and carry on his legacy. People often ask why I am the way I am and why I pour so much of me into coaching and the kids, it is because I had Coach Atwood change my life and the only way to repay such a humble stubborn man is to live the best life you can. I know you are looking down on all of us now telling us to suck it up and find a way to be better right now! We are Coach and I will give everything I have in all that I do because you showed me how! I can't wait until we meet again and you put me in the patented head squeezey throw me on the mat and kick my butt for all the mistakes I made. Love and miss you Coach! Until we meet again - Bill Tabler