2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony

Sunday, November 6, 2016

By Chris Pobst ~ Standard Democrat

The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame honored 12 individuals, two teams and three programs during the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

The 2016 class of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame pose for a group picture during the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
President Award recipient Joe Scott addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Members of the Capahas semi-pro baseball team take the stage during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Jess Bolen, representing the Capahas semi-pro baseball program, addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)

Matt Cline speaks on behalf of the Scott County Central High School boys and girls basketball programs during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Judd Naeger speaks on behalf of the Valle Catholic High School football program during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Members of the Valle Catholic High School football program stand while head coach Judd Naeger addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Members of the 1979 and 1992 Three Rivers College NJCAA national championship teams take the stage during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Dale Purnell, representing the 1979 Three Rivers College NJCAA national championship team, addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Eric Schweain, representing the 1992 Three Rivers College NJCAA national championship team, addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Gene Bess stands while two of his Three Rivers College NJCAA national championship basketball teams are honored during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Bob Stolzer addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Bob Stolzer receives his Missouri Sports Hall of Fame plaque from President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Brad Wittenborn receives his Missouri Sports Hall of Fame plaque from President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Lana Richmond addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Lana Richmond receives her Missouri Sports Hall of Fame plaque from President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Lennies McFerren addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Lennies McFerren addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Miles Smith addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Miles Smith receives his Missouri Sports Hall of Fame plaque from President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Dr. Rick Wright addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Dr. Rick Wright receives his Missouri Sports Hall of Fame plaque from President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Eddie Moss waves to the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Eddie Moss receives his Missouri Sports Hall of Fame plaque from President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Mark Littell addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Blake DeWitt addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Blake DeWitt receives his Missouri Sports Hall of Fame plaque from President and Executive Director Jerald Andrews during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Gene Bess addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Inductee Gene Bess addresses the crowd during the 2016 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)
Three Rivers College men's basketball coach Gene Bess (middle) stands next to his wife Nelda (left) and his bronze bust as part of the longtime coaches induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as a Missouri Sports Legend Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Three Rivers College men's basketball coach Gene Bess (middle) stands next to his bronze bust as part of the longtime coaches induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as a Missouri Sports Legend Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (Chris Pobst/Standard Democrat)