Gene began his Stivers Basketball career on the varsity as a freshman and started every game as a guard, forward or center during all 4 years. He served as Captain in both his junior and senior years. Gene was named to the All-City team as a junior and named Captain of the All-City team his senior year. In baseball, Gene pitched the summer league Stivers team to a city league championship, winning 12 games with 0 losses. In the city finals Stivers beat arch rival Fairmont 3-1. In that game “Whiff” struck out 20 Fairmont batters. He was subsequently elected to the Dayton Baseball Hall of Fame.
Gene’s sport career continued at Ohio State University. The 1950 basketball team when he was a senior was exceptional. He pitched 3 years for the baseball team. Gene was well known in Big Ten circles for his defensive abilities and passing skill. Gene and his wife Vada, Class of ’47, have been married 58 years. They have 2 daughters, Jamie and Donna. He retired after 40 years with GM and enjoys gardening, regular workouts and even shoots a few baskets occasionally.