Brian Rosener is the keeper of the Semoball Cup which is presented to the school with the most successful season. It is based on a formula that takes into account the combined winning percentage of all sports teams plus bonus points for advancement in postseason play for both teams and individuals. The bonus points are divided by the number of teams a school fields. Rosener has been the sports editor for the Daily American Republic in Poplar Bluff, Mo. since December 2001. He was born and raised in St. Louis, where he attended Lindbergh High School and Webster University. He is married to Jennifer, a Poplar Bluff native, has a son Jack and a dog named Satchel who stands in for his @semoballBrian photo.

TRCC gets back two scholarships; HOF notes

Posted Friday, October 2, 2009, at 12:45 PM

The Three Rivers men's basketball team will lose only four scholarships for two years starting next season, instead of six as first imposed by the National Junior College Athletic Association in August.

Three Rivers President Dr. Devin Stephenson said Friday that he received an e-mail Thursday afternoon from NJCAA Executive Director Mary Ellen Leicht lessening the sanctions first imposed in early August.

"We do admit we had issues here, that there were violations here," Stephenson said. "We have taken steps to avoid such violations in the future and look forward to a great season."

Three Rivers Athletic Director and men's basketball coach Gene Bess said Friday that getting back two scholarships is "a major victory."

"I really appreciate the way Dr. Stephenson went to work and did what he did," said Bess, who is entering his 40th season as head men's basketball coach with a 1,084-283 record.

"He took the bull by the horns and this is going to help us."

The announcement comes nearly a year after the NJCAA first initiated a "formal compliance inquiry relative to the athletic program at the college." That inquiry identified four violations but the school appealed to the NJCAA's Executive Committee based on what Stephenson said was a factual error within the Missouri State audit.

"He took the bull by the horns and this is going to help us."

See today's DAR for more information.

You can read more here, and here.

The Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame banquet was Thursday night.

There are now 80 individuals and seven teams in the Hall of Fame, which started in 1981 and is now located in the Poplar Bluff Museum on Main Street. It is open from 2-4 p.m. each Sunday.

To be eligible, a person must have reached the age of 35, clear a preliminary ballot of over 100 selectors before being voted on by a nine-member board of directors.

You can read more about Austin Tinsley, John Myers and John VanOrman.

Check back tonight after 6 p.m. when I'll be LIVE! from Morrow Stadium (hopefully).

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I think this is huge. It should give them a fighting chance the next two seasons. Great work Winston!

-- Posted by drawmules on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 12:02 PM

Brian Rosener's response:
Actually, the credit should go to Three Rivers President Dr. Devin Stephenson.
How many scholarships does a JUCO basketball program receive each season? I am guessing 12. I am curious how many scholarships they will have to work with if four are taken away.

-- Posted by drawmules on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 1:52 PM

Brian Rosener's response:
The Raiders will go from 15 scholarships this season to 11 over the next two seasons. There are currently five freshmen on the roster, meaning six scholarships would be available next season.
It may not have a significant impact on the program. They should be able to compete with 11 scholarships as long as they recruit the right players.

-- Posted by drawmules on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 2:19 PM

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