Permanent naming rights have been extended to Rick Cernovich M.D. and Kim Cernovich for their generous donation totaling $250,000 for a new Kewanee High School field house.

Groundbreaking began May 5 on the Cernovich Field House, which will be located at the south end of the Kewanee High School football field. The new 2,800 square foot structure will house 80 individual lockers, restrooms and showers for the football and track programs at the high school.

Rick and Kim Cernovich named the facility in honor of their fathers, George and Mike Cernovich. An alum of KHS, Class of 72, Dr. Cernoich has been in family practice for 36 years. Owner of the Sheffield Family Medical Center, he has served on the KCUSD #229 Board of Education and was on the original schools foundation board. Both he and his father, George, (Class of 52) are also KHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, and Dr. Cernovich was named an honorary Boilermaker in 2019. George Cernocih owned and operated a Clark Oil station for 30 years.

Also, an alum, Kim Cernovich, (Class of 77) is the owner of Cernovich Auto & Truck in Kewanee. His father Mike, (Class of 45) retired as an Illinois State Trooper, a position he held for 29 years. He founded M&K, which later became Cernovich Auto & Truck.

“The Cernovichs’ generosity and financial commitment to the Foundation and District are to be highly commended,” said Liz Breedlove, Executive Director of the Kewanee Schools Foundation. “The Cernovich Field House will be a welcome addition to the Kewanee High School. Their support is greatly appreciated.”

Dr. Chris Sullens, superintendent of the KCUSD #229, said that students will benefit from the needed addition to the KHS track and football programs.

“The current field house was constructed in 1938, and although it served its purpose since that time, a new facility was very much needed. The old building will be repurposed to accommodate storage, laundry facilities and a space for physical therapy services.”