From the Bench: Recalling a BHS Pre-Game Speech by Gene Randolph that Helped Win a 2001 State Title
By Jeff Toquinto on March 08, 2026 from Sports Blog
During some recent rummaging through notes from my writing days from many years ago, I came across some information that made me think back to one of the best men I have ever known. And it made me remember why I love March.
This goes back to the middle of March of 2001. It included notes from Bridgeport High School’s second-ever boys basketball state
championship. And it included my interview with the late Coach Gene Randolph.
championship. And it included my interview with the late Coach Gene Randolph.
I still remember the team. And I still remember the reason how the story came about.
Randolph, whose post-game interviews at the state tournament became required listening, was certainly emotional at times while talking after watching his team cut down the nets on the then “Charleston Civic Center” floor. More than one time, he mentioned, “things got emotional before the game.” He never expounded on it. No one in the media room asked about it.
Perhaps the media members were too busy enjoying Randolph using terms and words only he used that decades later spellcheck still does not clear as official. That day, there was “super salada,” along with “el communicate,” and one I had heard many times before during my time covering Randolph in “disconglomeration.”
After he was done talking about the victory against Tug Valley, I pulled Randolph and some players aside and asked them about it. As it turned out, it was as big of a difference in the Indians winning that title as the players, coaching, and community support was.
As it turned out, the game’s most pivotal moment took place during Randolph’s pregame speech. When, he stood in front of his team just 
before their game with Tug Valley, something happened to the man overflowing with vocabulary.
before their game with Tug Valley, something happened to the man overflowing with vocabulary.
Randolph became speechless. And, for all the right reasons.
“Our pregame, I don’t mind telling you, was an emotional thing. I couldn’t make it through. They’re a special group,” Randolph stopped, his voice cracked again. “They mean so much to me.”
So much, in fact, that Randolph's emotions got the better of him and excused himself to the bathroom. Dennis Hutson, a decades-long coach in Harrison County and Randolph’s assistant at the time, stepped in to finish off the pregame. At this point, it wouldn’t be necessary.
Vince Veltri, who many know for his dental drills today, was known for his basketball drills two-and-a-half decades ago. He stopped Hutson before he could start.
“We told Coach Hutson he really didn’t need to say anything,” said Veltri, one of the team’s captains. “That was enough motivation ... We
wanted to go out and win it for ourselves, our school and for (coach Randolph). He’s given us 100 percent all year and we owed it to him to give it all we had.”
wanted to go out and win it for ourselves, our school and for (coach Randolph). He’s given us 100 percent all year and we owed it to him to give it all we had.”
Another familiar name in BHS sports lore backed up Veltri’s assessment.
“If we needed anymore motivation than that, there was something wrong with us,” said C.R. Rohrbough. “When he started to cry, I cried with him because we’re a family and he’s the leader of the family.”
As noted above, the tears didn’t stop for Randolph after the game. More than once, Randolph broke down at the press conference.
When he spoke that day, he spoke of his faith, and his voice trembled. When he spoke of his players, tears flowed.
For Randolph, it was a well-deserved cry.
At that time, it had been 27 years that he had beaten the hardwoods at various prep levels, for various schools and with varying results. He started his run with Robert “Timbuck” Shields in Flemington, had tours of duty at Roosevelt-Wilson, South Harrison and two stops, including his last run, at Bridgeport High School.
“If I never coach another game, this would be enough for me,” said Randolph. “Just to have the opportunity to coach a group of kids like this is special; the championship is just the icing on the cake.
“At the same time, as a coach, this is what you dream of,” said Randolph, as he fought to compose himself after the postgame conference. “The good Lord allowed me to experience the one thing in life I’ve always wanted to experience. He also allowed me to work with these kids. I’m so fortunate. I hope they know how much they mean to me.”
If they didn’t throughout the season, they did heading on to the floor that particular Saturday in 2001.
“After coach broke down, I looked at the guys, and they all had the same look. There was determination like I’ve never seen before,” said Veltri’s fellow senior co-captain Chris Liebig. “What he did showed everyone just how much he cared for us. That was all we needed. I knew everything would turn out fine.”
They did. Tug Valley ended up on the wrong end of a 68-57 setback. The Indians finished the season at 20-6 and walked home with a state title.
Things turned out fine indeed. And they turned out fine for one of the best men – and coaches – I’ve ever known in Gene Randolph.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Coach Gene Randolph (photo by Ben Queen Photograph/Ben Queen), while the second photo is of the state championship team. Third photo shows Vince Veltri getting interviewed, while center Tim Lindsey is shown battling in the paint in the bottom photo. Final three photos courtesy of the BHS journalism department.
