Bio
Gene Bess began coaching the men's basketball team at Three Rivers Community College in 1971. The Raiders have one of the best winning traditions in junior college basketball. In the fall of 2010, Coach Bess entered his 41st season at Three Rivers with a career record of 1114-290. He led the Raiders to two national championships in 1979 and 1992. The Raiders won the NJCAA Region 16 tournament twenty times and also won the MCCAC (previously known as the MJCAC) championship 29 times during his tenure. He was recognized as NJCAA National Coach of the Year twice, Region 16 Coach of the Year 21 times, and MCCAC Conference Coach of the Year 19 times. He is a member of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and NJCAA Hall of Fame. At Three Rivers, Gene teaches Lifetime Wellness, Basketball Coaching Techniques, History and Principles of Physical Education, and Varsity Basketball. Gene and his wife, Nelda have two children, Janell Hartmann and Brian, who is the Raiders assistant coach, and four grandchildren, Taylor Hartmann, Kolby Bess, Kiley Bess, and Bryelle Hartmann. The biography entitled: 'Gene Bess - College Basketball's Winningest Coach' is available through Acclaim Press. (NJCAA Region 16 Hall of Fame - February 2011)