Three Rivers Head Coach Gene Bess Wins His 1,200th Game

History was made at State Fair Community College last night (Jan. 8), when the Roadrunners took on Three Rivers Community College. The Three Rivers head coach, Gene Bess, went into the game with 1,999 victories in his 45-year career and they defeated State Fair by a score of 91-54, to make Bess the first head coach to win 1,200 wins in a career.

After the game, the Athletic Department of State Fair Community College, headed by Athletic Director Darren Pannier and Head Coach Kevin Thomas, awarded Coach Gene Bess with the game ball for his accomplishment. The State Fair Crowd and those that traveled with Three Rivers applauded the feat, as the PA Announcer Denny Perkins rattled off all the accomplishments of Bess' career. It was also noted that Coach Thomas played for Bess at Three Rivers.

For a little perspective Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski is on the verge of 1,000 wins. Another coach, Harry Statham of McKendree College has 1,083 wins. I think what's more impressive is that Bess has not had a losing record in the years he has coached Three Rivers and with his 1,200 wins, has lost only 349 times.

Congrats to Coach Bess on winning his 1,200 game.