skip navigation

PAT GERALD - INDUCTEE #57

hall of fame fast fact:

When Pat Gerald was a first-grader in Canyon, he met Boone McClure. They became close friends and remained so until their deaths. McClure was a director of the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum.

Pat Gerald

Pat Gerald grew up in Canyon and won a Golden Gloves boxing championship in a Fort Worth tournament.

After excelling in several sports at Canyon High, the 6-foot, 175-pound Gerald attended West Texas State Teachers College. Gerald earned nine letters in football, basketball, baseball, and a master’s degree in chemistry.

Pat Gerald coached at Sweetwater for 10 seasons (1945-54) and never had a losing season. He moved to Sweetwater after successful stints at Panhandle and Vernon high schools. Gerald was ahead of his time as a high school defensive coach.

After he retired from his 25 year coaching career, Gerald ran the family farms near Chillicothe, Plainview, and Tulia until he was 85.

Gerald was a member of WT’s Hall of Champions’ first class in 1987. He also served as president of the Texas High School Football Coaches Association.

Gerald died in 1994, a month shy of his 86th birthday.