Change to Raiders sked

The Three Rivers men's basketball team has made a change to its schedule. The Raiders will play Southeastern Iowa at 7 p.m. Jan. 15, which is a day later than previously reported.

"Sam" posted a letter to the editor the DAR also got, and which ran in today's (Sept. 2) edition. The post was deleted because the contact info was left in, so here's the letter which ran:

Recently, we learned of your vote and approval of a reprimand of Coach Gene Bess, men's head basketball coach and athletic director at Three Rivers Community College. We were shocked and saddened to hear of this action.

As a former vice-president of student affairs and a former dean of student affairs at Three Rivers, we had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Coach Bess, a consummate gentleman whose first concern was always the welfare of the college and its students and faculty. Furthermore, we can think of no one who has advanced the cause of the college more than Coach Bess.

Through his phenomenal record as a basketball coach, his serving as a role model for countless young people and his leadership in his church and community, Coach Gene Bess has been resolute and unfaltering in providing the type of direction that has served as a sterling example for virtually all who have come into contact with him during his decades of service at the college. In our combined fifty years of higher education experience, we can think of no one whose integrity would exceed that of Coach Bess.

With college basketball's most outstanding record at any level of play, Coach Bess has given totally of himself to his teams. In turn, he has expected the same sort of commitment from his players. Those players who have - for one reason or another -- chosen to leave his team over the years have generally not expected to retain any of the privileges that had pertained to them when they were members of the team. The same would certainly hold true in any organization -- corporate, educational or otherwise -- requiring a high degree of discipline of its members.

It has come to our attention that, after a former Raider departed Three Rivers prematurely, Coach Bess immediately informed his supervisor, the vice president for student affairs and information technology, of the actions taken and received his approval or concurrence. Soon thereafter, a secret, one-sided "investigation" was conducted by that same supervisor resulting in adverse action taken by the Board. These are obviously not steps taken by normal college administrations; in fact, these steps were more than out of the ordinary, they were reprehensible. Apparently, this incident was blown out of proportion and used to undermine Coach Bess's standing at Three Rivers for some unknown reason.

Although one is hesitant to speculate on the motives involved in this extraordinary action against Coach Bess, it is no secret that a topic of discussion with some elements of the leadership at Three Rivers over the past ten years has been the eventual downgrading of the college athletic program to NJCAA Division II competition. Recent action to eliminate the College volleyball program seems to have been another move in that direction. Certainly, this would not seem to be in accord with the unique precedents and traditions established during the Bess era. And neither would it seem to be consistent with the wishes of the board's constituency, the citizens of the college district which board members are elected to represent.

Hopefully, gentlemen, as board members you will resolve to rectify this unjust blot on the otherwise impeccable record of a distinguished coach and Christian gentleman.

John Barham

TRCC Dean of Student Affairs, 1999-2002

Randall Lee

TRCC Vice-President of Student Affairs, 2002-2006