Locals react to death of 'Big House' Gaines

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on April 28, 2005 1:56 PM

• Print
• Email

MEMBERS OF THE GOLD-WAYNE WSSU ALUMNI CHAPTER RESPOND TO THE DEATH OF CLARENCE 'BIG HOUSE' GAINES:

* SHIRLEY FAISON SIMS, President: "It would be difficult to express what he meant to all the students that came through during his tenure. He was a father figure for most, but a friend to all of us. He was the kind of person that never met a stranger. I'm certain that his coming to Winston-Salem put Winston-State University on the map."

-- Faison Sims, who resides in Dudley, is a member of the Wayne County Board of Education.

* HERBERT STOVER, Former President, Current Chaplain: "He was just a mentor to so many youngsters. Athletics was his forte, but he went beyond that. He encouraged his players not just to be great athletes, but good people. He was just a good person that people liked -- one working to build a community."

-- Stover, a Winston-Salem native, attended Gaines' funeral last Friday.

* LATERRIE WARD, Secretary: "Nearly everyone seems to know somebody who is more special than others ... a mentor, a confidant, a father figure. All I know is that he was special by the time I graduated from Winston-Salem State University. Since then, he has been my friend, my father -- both at WSSU and after my own father passed away -- and a sounding board through most of the fun times and crises in my life."

-- Ward has attended 30 CIAA tournaments and was a WSSU cheerleader for 4 seasons, including a stint as team captain in 1977.