Special to The Message
Evansville’s Reitz Memorial High School is proud to announce the dedication of Bruce Dockery Court inside the Robert M. Kent Athletic Center, honoring one of the most influential coaches and educators in the history of Reitz Memorial athletics.
The dedication of the court was celebrated during the official unveiling July 21 at the Robert M. Kent Athletic Center at Reitz Memorial High School. Coach Dockery, his family, school leadership and representatives from Liberty Federal Credit Union were in attendance as Reitz Memorial officially unveiled the newly dedicated Bruce Dockery Court.
“Coach Dockery’s legacy cannot be measured solely by championships or victories,” Reitz Memorial President Josh Reising said. “His greatest accomplishment has always been the people he helped shape. Generations of students, coaches and families have been positively impacted by his leadership, mentorship and unwavering commitment to Memorial. Naming our court in his honor ensures that future generations will understand the standard of excellence and character he established.”
Dockery retired with 502 wins, ranking as the sixth-winningest girls basketball coach in Indiana history at the time of his retirement. Dockery’s teams won a 2011 IHSAA Class 3A state championship, eight Southern Indiana Athletic Conference championships, 14 sectional titles, six regional championships, two semi-state championships and one state runner-up finish. Among Coach Dockery’s accolades are his induction into the Reitz Memorial High School Hall of Fame in 2020 and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
The press release from Reitz Memorial says as a longtime girls basketball coach and athletic director, in addition to coaching several other sports during his career, Dockery invested countless hours into mentoring student athletes, supporting fellow coaches and strengthening Reitz Memorial’s athletic programs.
“He built championship teams, but more importantly, he built young men and women of character,” the press release states. “His leadership established a culture of excellence rooted in humility, discipline, respect and a deep love for Reitz Memorial High School.”
The release continues, the newly dedicated Bruce Dockery Court will serve as a daily reminder of faith, integrity, perseverance, teamwork and servant leadership, the values that define Reitz Memorial athletics. Every student athlete who steps onto the floor will do so on a court bearing the name of someone who exemplified those ideals throughout his career, the release states.
The dedication came as part of the newly refinished gym floor made possible through a generous gift from Liberty Federal Credit Union, the release states. Their support has transformed the home of Reitz Memorial basketball and volleyball while creating a lasting tribute to a coach whose impact extends far beyond the game itself, according to the press release.
“Reitz Memorial High School also extends its sincere gratitude to Liberty Federal Credit Union for making the gym floor renovation possible,” the release states. “Their generosity has enhanced one of the school’s premier athletic facilities while helping preserve the legacy of a coach whose influence will continue to inspire Memorial students for generations to come.”