By: Jeffrey Valfer
TeenNewsNet  Editor
       

Everything about Jim Koehler aka “Mr. Excitement” is big.  He is tall and has a voice that still carries as I talk to him outside of Levittown Educational School in Levittown, NY on a windy winter afternoon.  As his voice breaks through the blustery weather, he tells me of how his biggest dream has come true. Growing up an avid fan of Monster Trucks he now travels around the world with Monster Jam, as the driver for “Avenger” which is part of Team Scream. “I was a fan to start with,” explains Koehler. “I went to a lot of shows and me and my buddies looked at the Monster Trucks and wondered how cool they were. We said we could build something like that. Then we started tinkering thinking it would be something we could play around with-- never thinking we would be on Monster Jam.”

Over a decade later Koehler is not only becoming one of the biggest names in Monster Jam, receiving 2002 fan favorite recognition, but is living his dream in a sport where everything is big.  Koehler built “Avenger” in 1996 and the vehicle currently operates on a 575 Chevrolet big block engine with 1,800hp, 138’ wheelbase and 66’ Goodyear 6 ply Terra tires.  He comes to Levittown not only to promote his Monster Truck “Avenger” and upcoming Monster Jam performances at the Nassau Coliseum, but also as an award to local youth.   According to Renee McGrath, Youth Services Manager for the Nassau Library System, libraries throughout the county participated in the “Reading with Monsters” competition to promote literacy.  The library with the most participants, which was Levittown, was rewarded with an appearance and reading from Koehler.

[Doing this] It’s awesome,” says Koehler with much enthusiasm. “I enjoy the kids! It’s nice to see their imaginations go wild and to see they’re interested in what we do. If they can use me as a role model to inspire them to do what they’re going to do in life…That’s awesome!”   Although Koehler continues to ‘live it large’, he wants to convey to his smaller fans that it was concentrating on the little things that makes you successful.  “I’m nobody special. I’m just a guy that had a vision and dream that pursued it and made it happen.”

For more information on Koehler and Team Scream please visit www.avengerracing.com