Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Athletics Celebrates the Four-Decade Career of Head Baseball Coach Gene Depew
4/18/2012 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 18, 2012
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell University head baseball coach Gene Depew, a 1971 Bucknell graduate, will be retiring after this season, his 31st as the baseball head coach at his alma mater. More than 150 alumni, parents and friends of the program returned to campus last weekend to help Bucknell say thank you to Coach Depew for his countless contributions to the baseball and football programs over the past four decades.
A four-time Patriot League Baseball Coach of the Year, Depew has been especially successful over the last 16 years, leading the Bison to first or second place finishes in the Patriot League eight times, including six regular-season titles and five tournament crowns. Additionally, Depew has guided Bucknell to five NCAA Tournament appearances over that span, highlighted by a memorable 7-0 victory over fourth-ranked Florida State in 2008. He is the school's all-time winningest coach with nearly 600 victories.
In addition to his time leading the Bison on the diamond, Depew was an assistant football coach at Bucknell for 22 years. As a student-athlete, he was football team captain as a senior and an All-Middle Atlantic Conference Honorable Mention selection as a defensive lineman.
Depew was honored prior to Bucknell's game with Lehigh last Saturday. Director of athletics and recreation John Hardt presented him with a framed photograph featuring snapshots from each of his five Patriot League championship teams, as well as a shot of Depew working in the third base coaches' box. Depew, who was joined on the field with his entire family and many former players he coached or played with during his tenure at Bucknell, then had the honor of throwing out the first pitch.
Following the Bison's split with Lehigh that afternoon, there was a celebratory dinner in the Terrace Room inside the Elaine Langone Center. Guests were treated to a 30-minute tribute film featuring Depew's career, as well as some outstanding tribute speeches from assistant coach Scott Heather, Depew's college roommate Luke Rohrbaugh '71, former Bison hurler R.J. Grant '03, and former longtime assistant coach Brian Hoyt '86. Hoyt's speech was especially impactful as the former Bison assistant coach made an emotional appeal to those in attendance to join him in helping to raise the necessary money remaining to complete the renovations to Depew Field. He said it would be the finishing tribute to a tremendous career, and asked all of Depew's former players in attendance to give serious consideration to that cause.
The evening concluded with some emotional remarks from Depew himself. He thanked dozens of individuals who have helped him in so many ways over the course of his time at Bucknell, and by night's end he was receiving a standing ovation for all he has done in his lifetime of commitment to the Bison.
Gene Depew Celebration Video
