TRC inducts five into Athletic Hall of Fame

Three Rivers College athletics came together like a fist Friday night at the Poplar Bluff Holiday Inn. 

That’s because the school welcomed the newest five-member Hall of Fame class as Don Crandell (contributor), Danny Foster (men’s basketball), Chuck Malone (baseball), Mallory Siebert (softball), and Anna Vogt (women’s basketball) were immortalized in front of dozens of Raiders supporters who made it known the importance of Three Rivers sports and the contributions of the newest inductees. 

Crandell got the ball rolling with some witticisms and a deep well of gratitude for what the school gave to him in recognition for all he had done for almost 20 years as booster club president. 

“When Coach (Gene) Bess told me that I would be a nominee for the Hall of Fame, I said, ‘not me,’” Crandell said. “I thought that Coach had fallen and hit his head again. I went home and told my wife and I still didn’t believe it. I appreciate those guys. It is an honor and I can not describe the feeling that I have. I am humbled by it.” 

 Vogt followed an introduction by Dr. Tim Hager, the event’s emcee, that spoke of the former hooper’s impressive accomplishments on the hardwood.  

“I’m actually surprised I am old enough to even be inducted,” Vogt joked about her career that ended at TRC in 2014. “Coach (Jeff) Walk crazily took a risk on a 6-foot, lanky post player from Pacific with shotty knees and very little court time in the last two years. After the first month, I started to feel at home in the small town of Poplar Bluff and was a regular at the 65 Mexican restaurants. I love my Mexican food. 

“I was not Hall of Fame worthy, but I am extremely competitive. I like to win so I put my nose to the grindstone and went to work.”  

She thanked her mother and even quipped that she still calls her after games including her recreation league games. 

Former softball standout Siebert had moments of holding back tears showing gratitude for those who supported and loved her throughout her playing career. 

“I am so blessed when I think back on my softball career, that I don’t remember a time where I didn’t have someone in the stands cheering me on,” Siebert said. “Miles and miles, hours and hours spent on the softball or traveling there to watch me play for two hours to turn around and go right back home. I would not be standing here if not for the best cheerleaders in the world. 

“Three Rivers was also one of the biggest blessings in my life.” 

 Men’s basketball sharpshooter Foster reminisced about the days he picked up a rock and found his love for drilling makes from all over the universe for Coach Bess who presented his former Raider with his Hall of Fame ring. 

Hager gushed about being able to introduce “the Larry Bird of my childhood.” 

“A lot of players are responsible for me being up here, I am very humbled to be here,” Foster said. “I lived in a small town in Centreville — 18 miles from Ellington where I went to high school — and … we didn’t have a basketball goal (at this house).” 

He then told a story of how a fallen goal was eventually lifted and put onto his property when he was a boy. 

“I shot millions and millions of shots on that old goal,” Foster said.  

Before giving him his ring, Gene Bess shared memories of Foster to the delight of the crowd, including how Foster and Otto Porter Sr. linked up on a winning shot that gave the Raiders a region title and they ultimately advanced to the national tournament where they finished third.  

“We had gotten beaten four times by Mineral Area because they were really good,” Gene Bess said of the final rematch that went TRC’s way. “He threw a perfect pass; Otto goes up and gets it and he scores. (Foster) was a very good player. Every time we talk about shooting, we talk about Danny. He never saw a shot he didn’t like.” 

The night wrapped with Malone keeping it short and sweet. 

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the induction process,” Malone said. “It is a very unexpected honor. I enjoyed every minute of my time at Three Rivers except for running that park.”