Statement from Coach Bess

Such a busy night but I'll take some time out from writing to give you Three Rivers coach Gene Bess' reaction to what Toby was talking about in an earlier post.

"I'm not really sure what has occurred other than the NJCAA received an anonymous letter suggesting infractions in our basketball programs," Bess said. "I'm not aware of any infractions or violations. We welcome the inquiry and do our part to clear up any problems there might be."

Here's the full story

POPLAR BLUFF -- The athletic program at Three Rivers Community College will be put under a microscope by the National Junior College Athletic Association in the near future.

The college issued a statement Thursday saying it had been notified that the NJCAA will "initiate a formal compliance inquiry relative to the athletic program at the college."

Mark Krug, Director of Sports Information and Media Relations for the NJCAA, confirmed Thursday that a letter had been sent to Three Rivers but could not comment on the scope of the inquiry.

In the statement released by TRCC, the college said it received a letter from Wayne Baker, Executive Director of the NJCAA, requesting a list of documents be submitted to their Colorado Springs, Colo., office by Nov. 3.

"Our administration and board take seriously these concerns and our responsibility to provide proper oversight, integrity and NJCAA compliance as well as federally-mandated non-discrimination and gender equity," TRCC president Joe Rozman said.

While waiting for the start of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame banquet to begin Thursday night, men's basketball coach Gene Bess, also the athletic director, issued his own statement.

"I'm not really sure what has occurred other than the NJCAA received an anonymous letter suggesting infractions in our basketball programs," Bess said. "I'm not aware of any infractions or violations. We welcome the inquiry and do our part to clear up any problems there might be."

The statement by the college comes less than a week after an anonymous letter was sent to area media outlets, but not the Daily American Republic.

Rozman said the college's Board of Trustees Chairman Steve Cookson has appointed a three-person committee to "investigate the matter." Rozman, Cookson and board vice-chairman Bill Hollida will make up the committee.

Rozman said in the statement that the NJCAA has requested documentation concerning the Three Rivers Booster Club, a copy of "NJCAA mandated scholarships for 2006-07 and 2007-08" as well as an audit of the men's and women's basketball programs for the 2008-09 academic year.

Documents concerning the Booster Club include "a comprehensive record" of all receipts and expenditures for the past three academic years, as well as a copy of the auditors report and the finding of the special audit which was recently conducted by the Missouri State Auditor's Office.

The NJCAA will conduct the inquiry through "an exchange of information and documentation" but could visit the Poplar Bluff campus if necessary, the college said.

Bess was preparing his team Thursday afternoon for their first preseason scrimmage at the Bess Activity Center. Three Rivers will host a scrimmage starting at 10 a.m. and will open the season Oct. 31 at home against Bevill State (Ala.).

Bess is starting his 39th season at the college with 1,056 wins, more than any college coach at any level. The Raiders are coming off a 29-8 season that included a fourth-place finish at the NJCAA national tournament.