LHS Sports Hall of Fame 2015
Robert Gaines
Robert Gaines entered as one of the most decorated athletes from Leesville High School of all time. He earned 10 varsity letters in three different sports—football, basketball and track.
Robert was an All-American track athlete and four year letterman for Wampus Cat track team. He led the Cats to their first and second state team titles, in 1978 and in 1980. In 1978, he earned All-State and All-American honors as an individual and as part of 3 highly dominant relay teams. At the 78 State Meet, Robert finished second the 100 yard dash, and was a first place winner in the 440, 880 and mile relay teams. The LHS 880 relay broke the national, state and meet records during the meet with a time 1:25.9. The mile relay also broke the AAA records in a time of 3:17 on the night. In the 1980 State Meet, Robert won the 400 meter run and anchored the 4 x 400 relay team that clinched a state championship for LHS. In one of the most dramatic performances in all of LHS Sports history, Gaines ran a 46.9 final 400 to run down
(catch) a runner from Catholic High of Baton Rouge who had a 40 yard lead in the race. This performance brought Bernie Moore Stadium to its feet and has earned a LHSAA Hall of Fame nomination for Gaines.
It should be noted that in all of LHS history, the Cats have only won 3 state team titles, and Robert was a critical component to two of them he was one of only 3 athletes on both of those track teams.
In football, Gaines was a 3 year letter for Hall of Fame Coach Richard Schwartz. Robert earned All-District honors as a tight end and defensive back in his junior year and as a defensive back as a senior.
In basketball, Robert earned 3 varisty letters, playing for Coach Mike Mallet and was a key back up in the Cats’ 1978 playoff appearance.
After high school, Robert signed with McNeese to play football and run track. He played football for one year, but was a 4 year letterman in track. While a McNeese, Robert broke the Cowboy 400 meter record and qualified for the NCAA Meet in the 200 meter 400 meter.
Robert and his family live near Atlanta, Georgia, where he is an Executive Chef.