Junior College Basketball Coach
Remembering those we recently lost
Plant the first tree in their honor
Key moments and achievements from Gene Bess's life.
Gene was born
· Poplar Bluff, Missouri, USA
Role
Bess took his first coaching position at Lesterville High School, beginning twelve seasons at the secondary level across three Missouri schools. His high school record reached approximately 237 wins and 95 losses.
Role
Bess took his first coaching position at Lesterville High School, beginning twelve seasons at the secondary level across three Missouri schools. His high school record reached approximately 237 wins and 95 losses.
Role
Bess arrived at Three Rivers College as assistant coach in 1969, was elevated to head coach in 1970, and guided the Raiders to a region title and a fourth-place national finish in his first season in charge.
Role
Bess arrived at Three Rivers College as assistant coach in 1969, was elevated to head coach in 1970, and guided the Raiders to a region title and a fourth-place national finish in his first season in charge.
Championship
Bess led the Three Rivers Raiders to the NJCAA national championship, the first of two national titles he would claim during his fifty-season tenure.
Championship
Bess led the Three Rivers Raiders to the NJCAA national championship, the first of two national titles he would claim during his fifty-season tenure.
Championship
Bess guided the Raiders to a second NJCAA national title, capping one of the most successful stretches in junior college basketball history and cementing Three Rivers as a national power.
Championship
Bess guided the Raiders to a second NJCAA national title, capping one of the most successful stretches in junior college basketball history and cementing Three Rivers as a national power.
Retirement
Bess announced his retirement in May 2020 after fifty seasons as head coach, leaving with a record of 1,300 wins and 416 losses, the most victories ever recorded by a college basketball coach at any level. His son Brian succeeded him as head coach.
Retirement
Bess announced his retirement in May 2020 after fifty seasons as head coach, leaving with a record of 1,300 wins and 416 losses, the most victories ever recorded by a college basketball coach at any level. His son Brian succeeded him as head coach.
Tribute
Three Rivers College unveiled a bronze statue of Bess in front of the Libla Family Sports Complex during Alumni Reunion weekend, honoring his fifty years of service to the college and community.
Tribute
Three Rivers College unveiled a bronze statue of Bess in front of the Libla Family Sports Complex during Alumni Reunion weekend, honoring his fifty years of service to the college and community.
Award
Bess was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 12, 2023, becoming the first coach in history to be inducted having spent an entire career at the junior college level.
Award
Bess was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 12, 2023, becoming the first coach in history to be inducted having spent an entire career at the junior college level.
Gene Bess passed away
