Closing in on the big one

Any day now, Joe Bean of Wheaton College will become the winningest coach in the history of men’s college soccer. Bean, 64, has spent the last 35 of his 42 years coaching at Wheaton. He ties retired San Francisco coach Steve Nogoesco with 544 wins if Wheaton beats Dominican on Wednesday. A victory at Illinois Wesleyan on Friday would give Bean a career record of 545-164-52 along with Division III NCAA titles in 1984 and 1997. Bean says his student-athletes have changed over the years. “Technically, they are better players today,” Bean said. “They play more in club programs. . . . Academically, they’re smarter. At Wheaton, their character and strong Christian commitment have remained the same.”