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2006: This is Coach Severson’s fourth year as Team Manager for the Governors. Severson takes care of all the important behind the scene tasks such as scheduling, hotel accommodations, purchasing and many other important details that make the program run smoothly.
Off the field:
Coach Severson is a retired teacher from the Bismarck Public School System. He taught and coached at Northridge Elementary School for 30 years before retiring in 1993. Severson is originally from Fessenden, North Dakota, where he participated in football, basketball, and baseball while in high school. He went on to college at Minot State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. Severson's teaching experience includes one year in a rural school and one year in Washburn prior to earning his Bachelor's Degree from MSU in 1963. Upon graduation, Severson spent one year in Washburn in the Washburn School District before moving to Bismarck.Severson began his affiliation with the Bismarck American Legion Baseball program in 1978 when he became an assistant coach for the Governors. In 1979, he was selected as head coach of the Bismarck Scarlets and remained in this position through the 1994 season. His 1993 team won the State Class "B" American Legion Baseball title. In 1995 he was selected as coach of the Governors and was the Governors coach from 1995-2002. All eight of his teams appeared in the state tournament with his 1997 team winning the State Class "A" Championship. Severson also began coaching the Century High School JV Baseball team in 1993. In 1995 he took over as head coach, a position he held from 1995-2003. His 1995 and 1998 Patriot teams were the State Class "A" Tournament Runner-up.
Severson was a supervisor and coordinator for youth baseball for the Bismarck Parks and recreation for 12 years before joining the American legion Program. He was instrumental in organizing the Rookie League Baseball Program in 1977, the forerunner of the present Babe Ruth Program for 13-15 year olds.
Honors: Severson was the recipient of the Norwest Bank sponsored "Gold Award" in December, 1980 for his service and dedication to the youth of Bismarck. The Northridge Elementary School gymnasium was named and dedicated in his honor in September of 1988 for 30 years of coaching and supervising elementary sports programs at Northridge. Severson was also selected Coach of the Year for North Dakota American Legion Baseball in 1997, 1998 and 2001. Severson is a member of the Baseball Coaches Association VICTORY CLUB for achieving 750 wins in High School and American Legion Baseball and a 2006 North Dakota American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.
Gene lives in Bismarck with his with LeAnn.