In Memory Of Bill Gathright
1950-2004
November 23, 2004
Long-time UMass Dartmouth Sports Information
Director Bill Gathright passes away at age 54
(Dartmouth, MA) - Long-time UMass Dartmouth Sports Information Director Bill Gathright passed away this morning after a recent illness. He was 54 years old.
A renowned figure on the UMass Dartmouth campus and throughout the New England collegiate athletic community, Gathright had worked in the Athletic Department at then Southeastern Massachusetts University and later UMass Dartmouth for 31 years.
Funeral arrangements for burial in the New Bedford area are being handled by Saunders Funeral Home.
A 1973 graduate of Boston University, Gathright was an All-New England First Team All-Star in football as a senior after earning three varsity letters for Coach Paul Kemp’s Terriers. Selected as team co-captain and Harry Agganis most valuable player award winner during his senior season, Gathright was also an All-East Second Team selection as an offensive tackle.
Following his graduation from Boston University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Health Education, Gathright was hired as Intramural Director in the Fall of 1973. During his career at SMU and later UMass Dartmouth, Gathright made several contributions to the development of Athletics on the Dartmouth campus. Gathright was the founder of the UMass Dartmouth Hall of Fame.
He was a member of the Council of Sports Information Directors and active within New England intercollegiate athletics.
In addition to his work at UMass Dartmouth, Gathright was also very active as a basketball and softball officials. He was a long-time member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Board of Officials, serving as rules interpreter for women’s basketball. He worked as a woman’s basketball official in the Big East for several seasons. He was also a member of the Greater New Bedford Softball Umpire’s Association, serving as president in 1987.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio in 1950, Gathright graduated from Youngstown South High School in 1968. He earned seven varsity athletic letters, competing in high school football, basketball and baseball.
Read more tributes to Bill Gathright
Click here to read Bob Molta's tribute to Bill Gathright in the ECAC-SIDA news issue
from December 2004
Click here to read Curt Brown's story about Bill Gathright's funeral service held at
UMass Dartmouth on Nov. 30, 2004
