BELLEVILLE — The Belleville school district will be inducting its next class of the Wildcat Wall of Fame at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 30. This year we will be inducting Bob Gentilli and Tim Stadelman.
Bob Gentilli
Bob Gentilli has been an integral part of the Belleville schools and village community for over 30 years. He has served multiple roles, impacting countless students, athletes, and families. A dedicated educator, mentor, and coach, Bob embodies the spirit of leadership and service.
His roles in Belleville include:
● Middle School Social Studies Teacher (31 years)
● Head Boys Soccer Coach
● Assistant Girls Soccer Coach
● Varsity Football Coach (10 years)
● Varsity Track Coach (4 years)
● Varsity Softball Coach (9 years)
● Student Council Advisor (20 years)
● Yearbook Advisor (4 years)
● Youth Soccer Coach (9 years)
● Youth Baseball Coach (5 years)
● Bus Driver
● Turkey Drop Volunteer
● Involved in middle school tailgates and community events
● Chess Club Advisor (2 years)
● Organizer of Washington D.C. School Tour (6 years)
● Big Brother-Little Sister Volunteer (8 years)
● Organized students to attend Badger Honor Flights and hosted Civil War reenactment camp
He has been recognized in the following ways:
● United States Soccer Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award (2023)
● Coach of the Week Distinction
● Sugar River Raiders Sportsmanship Award
● Featured in NEA Today, WEAC Magazine, Wisconsin State Journal, and multiple news outlets
● Published author: “From Teacher to Teacher”
● Led the “Quilts of Hope” unit, featured on national television
● Recognized for his leadership in shaping student-athletes into responsible, compassionate individuals
Bob focuses on character-building beyond athletics and academics. He wears his philosophy on his sleeve:
● Known for asking his players: “Did you get better today?”
● Encourages perseverance with: “Everything we do in life, we want to get better.”
● Lives by the principle: “It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.”
● Inspires hope with: “Keep Hope Alive.”
Tim Stadelman
Lifelong community member, Belleville business innovator, youth coach, active community member, and father of three. Here are some of Tim’s highlights.
● Tim grew up and went to school in Belleville, his dad was a cheesemaker at the cheese factory on Highway A and Highway PB, he sent his three children to school in Belleville.
● He has had a positive impact on the lives of children in the community by serving as a youth coach for soccer, football, and basketball.
● Tim has been a part of Belleville his whole life and continues to be. After becoming the Chief Financial Officer of Findorff he still chose to remain in Belleville and help the community
● Tim played a huge role in getting Johnny O’s onto Main Street. In doing this, he had a significant impact on the owner of the restaurant and the owner’s family, and also gave the whole Belleville community a nice sit down restaurant right on their Main Street.
● Tim plans to help other businesses open on Main Street using a combination of his time, money, and effort. He feels strongly about transforming downtown Belleville into something better than it ever has been.
● He played a large role in improving the conditions of our schools for us and future children of Belleville. He was the Chief Financial Office of Findorff while Belleville was remodeling the Middle/High School and adding an addition to and remodeling the Elementary School.
● He is an active member of the community. He has served on the Village Board and been in Village Committees..
● He has volunteered for the Red Cross, YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association), and been a part of Coaches vs. Cancer.
● Past President of Rotary Club of Madison.
● “He is literally an angel for Belleville, what I like most about Tim is that he is not just sitting around waiting for the community to get better, he is an active part of that change.” — Tony Schmit
● “Always kind, thoughtful and thinking about kids, families around him.” — Marian Viney
