Gene Bennett

The first inductee into the Wheelersburg Hall of Fame is Mr. Gene Bennett from the Class of 1946. Mr. Bennett is honored not only for his contributions to sports but also to the Wheelersburg Community. A quote from his nomination highlights his sterling character and personality: "With all his many accomplishments, Gene has never forgotten where he came from, his hometown of Wheelersburg, his many friends, the Wheelersburg athletic teams, the Gene Bennett Scholarship and many other local interests."
He signed his first professional baseball contract with the Cincinnati Reds in 1952 and played through the 1958 season. Mr. Bennett has received over a hundred awards for his accomplishments in sports. In 1996 Gene Bennett was honored as his name was placed on the "Flood Wall of Stars" in Portsmouth.
Mr. Bennett was also a top NCAA Collegiate Basketball Official for twenty-one years and was selected to referee in eleven NCAA post-season tournaments. He was made a lifetime member of the Naismith Memorial NCAA Basketball Official Hall of Fame.

Honors and accomplishments:
14 times Baseball Scout of the Month
1993 Ohio High School Athletic Association Sports Hall of Fame
1996 Major League Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame

Work Experience:
1952 - 1958 Cincinnati Reds player
1993 - 2005 Cincinnati Reds, Senior Assistant to GM / Advance Scout