Former football coach Bernie Gaughan named to MBCA Hall of Fame

January 30, 2007

By Jim Wilson

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

For the past 30 years, Clinton's Bernie Gaughan has given much to the area sports community, and on Saturday the legendary coach will finally be rewarded.

Gaughan will be the latest induction to the Massachusetts High School Baseball Coaches Association (MBCA) Hall of Fame at 6 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Westboro.

"It was a tremendous surprise," Gaughan said. "I never gave it a thought in my lifetime."

After two seasons coaching at Compton (R.I.) High School, Gaughan moved on to coach track at Clinton in 1965. In 1979, he took over the baseball and girls' basketball teams and has been a local fixture ever since, amassing a 366-199 record on the diamond.

The award is the latest in Gaughan's trophy case, joining the Worcester Area Baseball Umpires Award, the 1993 MBCA Award, the Midland-Wachusett League Coach-of-the-Year trophy and numerous Mid-Wach team sportsmanship awards.

"Bernie exemplifies the very best qualities of a high school coach," Clinton athletic director John Gibbons said. "He is a person of integrity, a fine gentleman, a good sport in victory as well as defeat, an excellent teacher and an individual who puts the interests of his teams before any personal accomplishments."

Gaughan was the director of physical education at Clinton and Gibbons was one of the many students who learned quite a bit from him.

"He's been a real joy to work with throughout the years," Gibbons said. "I never have to worry about him. He does everything and more one could ever wish for in a coach."

Gaughan said he has been thinking about his past teams as the big day approaches.

"I looked up a couple of kids from my first game," Gaughan said. "I told them how much I appreciated how much they bought into our program."

The Gaels won the Division 2 state title in 1993 with a 25-1 record. Clinton defeated East Bridgewater, 6-5, in the bottom of the seventh inning at Fitton Field after Gary Lamein reached on a bases-loaded error with one out that scored Jon Lent. Kevin Coleman earned the win with three solid innings in relief of Gregg Henebry and added a run when he scored on Brian Bonin?s single in the sixth inning to make it 5-4.

Gaughan has the Clinton girls' basketball team sporting a 9-4 record this winter and said he has no plans to slow down. He's just enjoying himself too much.

"You certainly aren't going to get rich the time you put in sports," Gaughan said. "The monetary reward isn't there, but the other things are nice."

Gaughan also credited the many parents he's developed a relationship with over the years, in some cases having coached both the parent and child.

"Coaches today have a lot of problems with parents," Gaughan said. "But looking at baseball alone I've had just two parents complain in this whole time and that's rather mild."

Gaughan played on the 1949 Clinton team that won the District E title, but lost to Pittsfield, 3-1, in the state final.

Gaughan is also a member of the Assumption College Hall of Fame, coaching the Greyhounds' football team from 1983-1995. Gaughan first joined the Assumption staff in 1973 as the defensive coordinator under coach Paul Cantiani.

Tickets to the event are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. To purchase them in advance, contact Gibbons at (978) 365-4208, ext. 4208. Checks can be made payable to the Mass. Baseball Coaches Association.

READ MORE ABOUT COACH GAUGHAN