Letter to the Editor

TRC Coach Gene Bess: a winning tradition

Monday, February 2, 2015

To the Editor:

The season, though not over, has been an amazing journey for me to not only be amongst some of the best players and fans but coaches as well. When I was first proposed to be a part of this season with this team I thought to myself, "What exactly am I get myself into?" But after meeting with Coach Bess (Gene) I felt very comfortable with my decision. Following right after him was Coach Brian Bess, of course Gene's son.

Through the years on various occasions I have had the opportunity to just sit back and observe Coach Gene work his magic with his trusty son, Brian right at his side giving all he had to make this program exemplify a winning tradition at Three Rivers College. The addition this year of Assistant Coach Bryan "Big Time" Sherrer also revealed to me how this team would prosper and yet again have another winning season.

As I stated, the coaches made me feel comfortable almost at the get go. I will have to honestly say I was very skeptical at first but very quickly learned this is not a joking matter, one taken very seriously and one I soon realized was going to be a fantastic adventure for me. I quickly noticed with Coach Gene it was always not about basketball, sure a majority of it was but I caught on how he would not only be a Coach but a mentor and basically turn in to a father figure for everyone he is around.

This has been a lifting experience for me in ways you will never be able to imagine. You see, I have always had my religious beliefs long before this, however Coach Gene took it to another level with me. I will have to say it is Coach Gene who persuaded me to put Christ in my life in no other way I have ever experienced before. Here is a man who will be 80 years old this coming March and still putting in the time he does not only with school, basketball and family but in God as well. On Saturday road trips when we return to Three Rivers it does not matter if it is 10:30 PM or 3:00 AM, he stands up, turns around and tells his players, "Let's get up and go to church in the morning". Coach Gene in the short time I have been around him on a frequent basis has opened my eyes, mind and heart in ways no other person has done in the past. I now have and will always have the utmost respect for Coach Gene as well as Coach Brian for giving me the opportunity to do what I do with the Raiders.

I have told this little story to a few people but I feel it is one I need to put out for all to read. This past December the Raiders went on a road trip that was pretty tough to swallow at the end losing two of the three games they played in. On our way back from Chicago that Saturday night Coach Gene, who I sit behind on every road trip, turned around and asked me, "Well what do you think about this so far?" I looked at him and explained I was having a ball and I appreciated the way everyone has accepted me and he said he appreciated what I was doing. As he turned back towards the front I told him, "Coach you do not understand." As he turned back around I said, "I do not look at doing what I am doing as a chore rather I feel like it is a privilege to do this for you and the team." Coach Gene just smiled and said, "I appreciate those words, they mean a lot to me." At that time I just told him I meant every word of it. It is utterly amazing how he has been able to continue his coaching ways through all the years and be consistent with it.

When I received the text message from Brian regarding Coach collapsing and being taken to the hospital and they were transporting him to Cape my heart just sank. I did not know exactly what was happening but then I turned to one person and began asking him to watch over Coach as well as his family. Then I found out he was going to be alright a little bit of calm came over me and I knew he was being protected by someone higher than anyone else could imagine. I prayed thanks to God for watching over Coach and sure enough he was right back coaching two days later and sitting on the sidelines coaching the next game.

In closing, Coach's Gene, Brian, Bryan and Women's Coaches Walk and Powell, Willie, Shoop, Dr. Payne, Raider players both men and women alike, booster club members, fans and especially my beautiful wife, Deb...THANK YOU. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of a wonderful tradition which has been going on for many years and god willing, one which will continue for many years yet to come.

Wilbur we are all praying for you to get better and the team thinks about you and Patty all of the time. God Bless You Both!!!

Roger Burton

"THE VOICE OF THE RAIDERS"