Ashland played a major role when Hopedale High had to fill its athletic director vacancy. The Blue Raiders, whose teams compete in the Dual Valley Conference, chose Bill Gaine III, a former Ashland High three-sport athlete and the starting catcher on the Clockers’ 2000 state championship baseball team.
Gaine, who played football, hockey and baseball, was a .350 hitter as a senior and was entrusted by coach Kevin Maines (now principal at Douglas High) to call the signals.
“Winning that state crown was my top thrill as an athlete,’’ said Gaine, whose father is the executive director of the Mass. Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA). “Now that I’m 34, I appreciate what we achieved a lot more and realize now how significant it was. Most of the players on that team had been together since Little League. We had amazing talent but to reach that pinnacle still was a difficult task.’’
Some of the standouts on the squad that beat Pioneer Valley remain as familiar names in Ashland — Russ D’Argento in centerfield, Joey Magnani in left field, Vince Domestico at second base, Jason Cooper at shortstop and Chris Maregni at first base.
Gaine, who graduated from Ashland High in 2000, hasn’t forgotten his teammates and he still raves about his coaches.
“I played for Kevin Maines in baseball and football; David DiGiralamo was my jayvee coach and he’s now the Middle School principal at Ashland; Derek Atherton was my freshman baseball coach; and Kevin Carney was a football assistant who’s now the superintendent of schools in Uxbridge. They were all tough but fair. They had high standards and were great motivators. I developed confidence as a student-athlete in high school and I want to help the Hopedale kids in their development.’’
Gaine was the A.D. at Pope John XXIII in Everett last year, serving in a variety of roles at the Grade 9-12 school that enrolls 250 students. Besides his duties as A.D., he worked in admissions, was the school’s physical education and health director and he coached varsity baseball and girls soccer. A desire to fully focus on being an A.D. and a yearning to return to the Route 495 area are what made the opportunity to work at Hopedale attractive.
“My most important objective is building a strong relationship with students, athletes, coaches, faculty and the community,’’ Gaine emphasized. “I want to be the No. 1 fan of all Hopedale sports programs. I want to ensure that student-athletes get the credit they deserve. I also want to increase participation, partner with youth sports and sustain Hopedale High’s tradition in athletics by adding my energy and style to it.’’
Familiar with how the MIAA works and the programs it offers, Gaine said he wants to make sure Hopedale athletes take advantage of the workshops and educational initiatives at the MIAA. “Some of the events Hopedale’s athletes can attend are leadership conferences, sportsmanship summits and women in sport days,’’ he noted. “I want our coaches to inspire student-athletes to give their best effort. Winning is important but, win or lose, competing to one’s full potential is really what athletics is all about. I want our kids to win but I want them to win with class and character.’’
After graduating from Westfield State with a major in communications, Gaine first worked in real estate then joined Josten’s, the school ring company. Later, when his focus turned to athletic administration, he worked on a master’s degree at Northeastern University, specializing in sports leadership. During that time, Gaine coached in part-time roles at Keefe Tech and Mount Hope in Bristol, R.I. Before becoming Pope John’s A.D., he coached its varsity baseball team and in his final year as coach, he guided the squad to a 12-8 record and into the playoffs, the first time Pope John had qualified for the tourney since 2000.
A high-energy personality, Gaine, who is quickly learning about Hopedale’s rival schools in the Dual Valley Conference, said he’ll work with others to promote the league and make it stronger. “I’d like Hopedale to schedule more non-league games with Tri Valley League schools,’’ he noted. “Those schools are larger but competing at a challenging level will help us to maintain a strong status.’’
Gaine lived in Ashland for 29 years and spent last year residing in Everett.
“I’m a native of Ashland and enjoyed growing up in the Metrowest area,’’ he said. “At Pope John, I had an amazing experience and worked with amazing people. Now, I’m at Hopedale and I want student-athletes to know they’ll have the support of their teammates, coaches, the A.D. and the administration. I like to think of our school and the community as a team.’’
Bill Gaine III is an enthusiastic individual whose style is all about teamwork. And, there’s little doubt that his Ashland High pedigree played a major role in his desire to become an athletic director.
Issue Date:
January, 2017
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