New leader in the Doghouse

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 25, 2018 7:53 AM

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PRINCETON -- Don't try to dominate on the hill.

Throw strikes and trust the people behind you.

It's a baseball philosophy that uniquely describes Princeton, a small school that revolves around a deep-rooted community that's flourished for more than half a century.

Everybody knows your name.

They'll talk sports, moreso than politics, at the local barbershop or outside the Piggly Wiggly that sits catercorner from the middle school.

Transients rarely settle here.

"The people have been here for a long, long time and will continue to be here for a long time," said Travis Gaster, the newly-minted PHS athletics director -- Bruce Proctor's replacement when he officially retires.

"They want to see the work they put in 15, 20, 30 years ago. They want to see what it's doing now."

Those who wore the blue-and-gold then certainly wouldn't be disappointed now.

The springboard to the Bulldogs' success?

Dedicated athletes.

But not the one-sport variety.

Kids who play volleyball also play basketball and softball. Those who don football uniforms on Friday night can also be seen either on the basketball court, baseball diamond or track.

Working together as a unit carries more weight than individual achievement.

"The kids buy into the coach," said Gaster, who just completed his third season as head football coach.

"And if the coach has set the precedent of this is what is expected, this is the work that has to take place in order to win, our kids believe in the coaches.

"When they do, they play extremely hard and a lot of times above their individual level."

Proctor remembers when he claimed his first baseball state title with the Bulldogs.

He wore his championship ring every day.

Now it sits in a drawer at home.

The trophy stills hold value, but not as much as the people -- faculty, parents, behind-the-scenes boosters -- whom Proctor worked with on a daily basis.

"We've got good folks, man, we really do," Proctor said. "They make my job easy. I have enjoyed working with them. I've told Travis to keep on doing what he's doing because he does a good job...does it for the right reasons and the right way."

Gaster brings a strong work ethic to the table.

He's instilled discipline and pride into the football program, and taken it a step further by renovating the fieldhouse.

The N.C. State grad relishes the fact that he works with multi-sport athletes on a daily basis. They understand school pride and the positive influence they can have on their fellow students in the hallways and classroom.

"That's the draw to me," Gaster said.

Coaches' support is important.

So is having a reassuring wife.

"She's huge in it," Gaster said. "Having her support and know the reasons why I'm doing it, not to be labeled a 'hard worker,' but make a huge difference to our kids. That's what Bruce and I both believe deep down in our soul."