POPLAR BLUFF – Raider nation came out to the Libla Family Sports Complex on Saturday to honor a legend at the Gene Bess Retirement Celebration. The event was attended by fans, former players and coaches who have all been impacted by Bess.
"You all are quite literally sitting in the house that Gene Bess built," Three Rivers President Dr. Wesley Payne said to the crowd on Saturday.
The event was full of thanking Bess for all that he has done on and off the court as well as sharing memories from memorable games to a claim that Bess would turn up the thermostat in the gym to make opposing teams hot before big games, which he denied.
"There were more kind words than I ever thought would be said about me," Bess said during his speech. "I can hardly wait for my eulogy."
The event started with a small reception in the lobby of the Libla Family Sports Complex as those who made the trip out to campus came up to say hello to Bess as well as former players mingling among former teammates.
When everyone was moved to the main seating bowl, many guest speakers got the chance to speak including former assistant coaches and former players. Bess also received a multitude of gifts that were handed out from plaques, to the key to the city of Poplar Bluff from Mayor Steve Davis, to a 4-month-old beagle puppy named Coach from all of the former Raiders, much to the displeasure of Gene's wife, Nelda.
Since retiring in 2020, Bess has enjoyed going fishing and being away from coaching basketball as quoted while at a recent Raiders basketball practice "I don't miss this at all." He's also made an appearance at a few Three Rivers men's and women's basketball games, but there's one player that he said is his favorite to watch at the moment that doesn't even wear the black and yellow.
"My favorite player right now is my granddaughter, (Kiley Bess)," the coach with 1,300 wins said.
Kiley Bess plays for Saint Louis University and will be a junior in the 2022-23 season.
Robert Augsdorfer - Daily American Republic