William E. Gathright, Jr., 54, longtime University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Sports Information Director, died November 23, 2004 at New England Medical Center in Boston .
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of the late William E. and Odessa (Roberts) Gathright, he had lived in Dartmouth since 1973. He was a 1968 graduate of Youngstown High School where he earned seven varsity athletic letters competing in football, basketball and baseball.
A renowned figure on the UMass-Dartmouth campus and throughout the New England collegiate athletic community, Mr. Gathright had worked in the Athletic Department at then Southeastern Massachusetts University and later UMass Dartmouth for 31 years.
A 1973 graduate of Boston University, Mr. 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 most valuable player during his senior season, he 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, Mr. Gathright was hired as Intramural Director at Southeastern Massachusetts University in the Fall of 1973. During his career at SMU and later UMass-Dartmouth, he made several contributions to the development of Athletics on the Dartmouth campus, and was the founder of the UMass-Dartmouth Hall of Fame.
In addition to his work at UMass-Dartmouth, Mr. Gathright was also very active as a basketball and softball official. He was a longtime member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Board of Officials, serving as rules interpreter for women's basketball, and had worked as a woman's basketball official in the Big East Conference for several seasons.
Mr. Gathright was a member of the Council of Sports Information Directors and was active within New England Intercollegiate Athletics. He was also a member of the Greater New Bedford Softball Umpire's Association, serving as president in 1987.
Survivors include his brother Jeffrey Gathright, and his wife Carol, of Prospect, Kentucky, and many close friends.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances in his name may be made to the UMass-Dartmouth Athletic Dept., 285 Old Westport Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02747.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Service in the UMass-Dartmouth Athletic Center, 285 Old Westport Rd., Dartmouth, Tuesday, November 30th at 10 AM, (Please use parking lot 7,8 or 9) followed by burial in St. John's Cemetery, New Bedford.
Visiting hours in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford,
Monday, November 29th from 4-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the UMass-Dartmouth Athletic Dept., 285 Old Westport Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02747.