Page 47 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2019- Online Magazine
P. 47
think. He knew, along with his team,
Thirteen coaching stints over four the school and the city of Odessa
decades had a big impact on the that the book was not an accurate
family, but Sharon was always portrayal. In 1989, the Permian
supportive. Her friend, Linda Panthers won 16 games in a row.
Voss, writes, “Sharon’s love for They were featured on ESPN and
Gary provided the encouragement received state and national honors.
he needed to be successful, and His record spoke for itself, and Gary
it was also evident to the teams and Sharon did not let the book
he coached. She always made her define them. Gary had gotten to live
way to the field or to the buses to his dream, and Sharon reports, “The
celebrate wins or console losses. people who knew him knew who he
Bradley and Nicole were always was. He was so humble – he always
there, and when they grew up gave credit to his coaches and his
and had families of their own, the players.”
grandchildren loved supporting
their Grandy in ‘Gaines Grandkid’ The Gaines moved back to
jerseys. Each new coaching position Lubbock in 2012. They have five
meant a new town, new jobs, and grandchildren: Ainsley Gaines and
new friends. Sharon never had Avery, Bailey, Parker and Jude support her husband of 49½ years.
trouble finding a job in education Strader and were looking forward Linda observes, “Sharon continues
because she was an asset to every to spending more time with them. to stay by his side. When he looks at
campus. She was an amazing But Sharon noticed some distressing her, you can still see his love for her
teacher with a deep desire to help symptoms almost immediately after in his eyes.” Even now, he is still the
children.” her husband
retired.
When Gary was at Permian High
School in 1988, he was approached Gary began to
by a “journalist” interested in display signs of
writing a book about Texas football memory loss.
- similar to “Hoosiers” - which told Now Sharon is
an inspiring story of a high school dealing with
basketball team. Coach Gaines was the biggest
skeptical at first but eventually let challenge of her
him have an inside look. Gary was life. The man
very proud of his school, his team who always
and their families. Odessa Permian made her knees
was known for excellence. The weak and her
journalist from Philadelphia worked heart pound is
himself in, spent time in the locker slipping away.
room, on the field, in homes and These days,
eventually wrote his book. But he her greatest
had misled everyone. He spun facts joy is when
into a documentary called “Friday “the light bulb
Night Lights”. He later apologized comes on and
to Gary, admitting that he had lied he recognizes
to make the book as controversial as me.” It has
possible to please the publisher. been a difficult
journey,
Coach Gaines was devastated. He but Sharon
worried about what people would continues to
Lubbock Senior Link 47
