• Earned Bachelors Degree at Philander Smith College 

• Earned Masters Degree at Arkansas State University

• Earned PhD at Ball State University

• 1972-2005 Emeritus Associate Professor of Physical Education (1 of the 1st 4 at ASU)

• 1st black Head basketball coach in Marion, AR after desegregation (also asst football coach)

• Arkansas Referee Hall of Fame (officiated 40 years)

• Housing complex on ASU campus named in his honor "Gaines Hall"

• Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc.

• Helped to charter the Theta Mu chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi on ASU's campus

• Active member of the local chapter of the NAACP

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