California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

As an educator, coach, and administrator, the late Eugene J.  “Gene” Hester had a profound impact on countless Vulcan student-athletes during a diverse 30-year career at California.

Hester began his teaching and coaching careers at Sisterville and Parkersburg High Schools in West Virginia, then joined the U.S. Navy and rose to the rank of lieutenant.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, he was hired at California State Teachers College. An assistant professor in the Health and Physical Education Department, he also became the assistant football and basketball coach. He started the golf program in 1947 and served for several seasons as head coach for tennis.

Eventually Hester was promoted to associate professor, became chair of his department, and served as athletic director and head coach for men’s basketball.

As an assistant football coach, he worked extensively with the ends, helping the 1946 team produce an undefeated season (9-0) and win the conference championship under head coach Earle Bruce.

He also assisted the 1951 team, which went 7-2 overall under head coach Ted Nemeth and competed in the Pythian Bowl.

After four years as the assistant basketball coach, Hester replaced longtime head coach Ed Cubbon and guided the Vulcans for 12 seasons.

He coached seven Cal U Hall of Fame inductees:  Frank Bernadowski ’62, Lloyd Gilmore ‘57, Roger Hotz ‘59, Jim Kennedy ‘53, Sebastian LoNigro ‘57, Dick Majernik ‘55, and Walt Sigut ’64.

Majernik, who finished his playing career as the school’s career-leading scorer with 1,317 points, recalled a conversation he had with Hester shortly after his senior season concluded.

“He reminded me of my accomplishments, thanked me for my contribution and told me all that he could give me was a Cal red and black blanket,” Majernik said. “I replied telling him I could not have done any of this without his outstanding coaching abilities and we just hugged each other.

“I still carry that Cal blanket in the trunk of my car for emergencies.”

As California’s athletic director from 1951-68, Hester became actively involved with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. He served as president of NAIA District 18 for 10 years.

He also held a two-year term as president of the Pennsylvania State College Athletic Conference (later PSAC) and served five years on the conference’s executive committee.

Replacing Hester as men’s basketball coach following the 1961-62 season was Myles Witchey, who coached under Hester’s athletic directorship for six years.

“He was a good man and I always called him genial Gene Hester because of how nice he was,” said Witchey, who coached the Vulcans for 16 years. “Never once did he ever raise his voice. He was just a super guy and a great man to work for.”

An innovative teacher, Hester began a driver education program on campus in 1949 and helped to form a parking committee. In addition, he was a member of the Committee for the Admission of School of Teacher Education, as well as the School of Education Council.

Hester retired from California State College in spring 1976 and received emeritus professor status in June of that year.

According to Witchey, who nominated Hester for the Hall of Fame, Hester’s work ethic equaled his polite demeanor.

“He put in so many long hours to do the many things he had to do to help the student-athletes,” Witchey said. “Instead of complaining he looked at his many duties as a goal he was determined to carry out.”

“He loved California and California University was his life. Gene Hester was special.”

Longtime local journalist Ron Paglia believes Hester’s politeness and respect for others enhanced Cal U’s public perception. He recalled attending a testimonial dinner along with other media members marking the end of Hester’s term as athletic director in August 1968.

“We talked about how he would always go out of his way to give everyone the red carpet treatment when they were covering any athletic event at Cal U,” Paglia said. “It didn’t matter who you were, you always got a fair shake from Gene Hester.

“He was a real gentleman and someone I had a great deal of respect for.”

In an Aug. 26, 1968 Valley Independent column Paglia wrote: “Leo Durocher was the guy who said nice guys finish last. He didn’t know Gene Hester.”

Originally from Larksville, Pennsylvania, Hester was a 1930 graduate of Ward P. Davenport High School, in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, where he was a standout two-way player on the football team for three years.

After prepping for a year at Western Maryland College, he continued his academic and athletic careers at West Virginia University.  There Hester was a four-year starting tight end on the Mountaineers football team; he also competed in basketball and track and field.

Hester earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from West Virginia in 1936. After joining the California faculty, he earned his master’s degree from WVU and continued with postgraduate studies at both Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh.

In today’s world, several full-time employees would be required to handle Hester’s workload. However, at that 1968 testimonial dinner his passion for his many roles and where he worked spoke volumes more than a paycheck.

“I guess anyone who begins a career at a small college has an ambition to move on eventually,” Hester said. “That’s the way I felt when I came to California, but I can’t tell you how happy I am that I remained here. When you have good people to work with you don’t have many problems and I’ve had nothing but sincere cooperation here at all levels.”

Hester, who was married to the late Anna Elizabeth “Betty” Little Hester, passed away on Sept. 22, 1979.

updated 4/12/16