Fellow coaches and students say goodbye to Bill Gavers

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by News 5 Sports

Story Created: Mar 4, 2013 at 10:45 PM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 4, 2013 at 11:58 PM CDT

While Hastings College nabs their man, GICC loses a Nebraska sports legend.

“Coach Gavers, we love you”, that’s the sign at the 2000 state championship game sums up how GICC feels about their former coach then and now.

So as Bill Gavers leaves the Crusaders after 22 years of coaching, he is now set to coach is college alma mater, it's a bittersweet day here at the school, but one they knew was coming.

“I saw him walk in the school building today and he had his suit on and I said are you doing what I think you're doing and he said yes, so we hugged and I said I'm really happy for you, we're going to miss you here but they're lucky to get him,” said Dee Hanssen, GICC Crusader Girls Golf Coach.

Here at Bill Gavers classroom today the students were here as usual looking at an instructional video under the guidance of a substitute teacher.

They knew their favorite teacher was leaving and humorously created a retirement fund with this jar of change and small bills, though he is hardly retiring. His players will miss him but feel fortunate to have him.

“It was just gut wrenching because of the fact that I looked into a man's eyes that I've known for the past three years and he is not only a coach but a great friend because he looks out for everybody not just to do his job but in the best interest of you and growing up as a small kid I always told my parents that one day I want to play at Central Catholic,” said Phoenix Stevenson, CICC Crusader Basketball Player.

Some coaches have been at GICC with Bill most, if not all of his 22 years and they'll miss him the most.

As Bill Gavers takes his dream job, the Crusaders are quickly moving forward and will name a new head coach by the end of this week.

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