Alum, athlete, coach, colleague, and friend are just a few terms used in the community to describe Gene Depew ’71. On Nov. 23 Depew passed away, leaving behind one of the greatest Bison athletic legacies.

“We are all saddened by the passing of our dear friend and colleague. Coach Depew was truly an institution at Bucknell. He was a strong and kind man who positively influenced the lives of so many Bucknell student-athletes and colleagues during his four-decade tenure here,” Director of Athletics and Recreation John Hardt said. 

During his time at the University, Depew played as a defensive lineman on the football team and served as co-captain in his senior year. He then went on to make a mark on the program as an assistant coach for a subsequent 20 years, from 1972-1992.

Depew was also an important figure in the baseball program, serving as a head coach of the team for 31 years. 

“As head coach, Gene took the Bison baseball team to an unprecedented level of competitive success, but even more important is that he was a great friend to so many of us at Bucknell and around the community,” Hardt said. 

During his time as head baseball coach, the team made five NCAA Tournament appearances and garnered 591 wins, a truly unprecedented record. In 2003, the varsity baseball field was renamed Eugene B. Depew Field in his honor—a testament to the impact he had on the program.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 12 in Rooke Chapel.

“He will be missed dearly, but his spirit will live on through all of the lives he has positively impacted,” Hardt said.