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Link to original article by John A. Fantino, BFP
The University of Vermont men’s basketball program lost one of its most distinguished alumni with the passing of Trevor Gaines, a 2002 graduate who tragically died Wednesday at age 29.
“We’ve lost one of the greatest ones that we’ve ever had here,” said former UVM coach Tom Brennan. “It’s such a sad day.”
A 6-foot-7 forward and two-time captain from Farmington Hills, Mich., Gaines racked up 1,255 points and 882 rebounds as a Catamount. Brennan wasn’t certain, but said he heard Gaines died while playing in a pick-up basketball game in Las Vegas, where he resided. Brennan also said Gaines had received treatment for ailing kidneys...
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"No Pain, All Gaines"
Originally Published: 4/23/2006
A native of the midwest, Trevor Gaines played a huge part in making the Cats a mid-major force. As their senior captain in 2002, Gaines led them to their first ever 20 win season. Now, he's in the big leagues, playing professional ball. Here's Trev...
CC: Where are you right now?
TG: I'm in France.
CC: So where were you the night the Cats shocked the world?
TG: I was injured, so I was back home. I was watching the game at a sports
bar. It was a very exciting moment.
CC: Who were you with?
TG: Just a couple of guys I know. I was bragging 'that's my old school.'
CC: Could you elaborate on your feelings that night?
TG: I was just so happy for the guys I played with. All of my life, I felt
like the underdog. When they won, I felt like I won.
CC: Could you talk a bit about feeling like the underdog?
TG: I did not get heavilly recruited 'til my senior year of high school. I
went to Five Star Basketball Camp and made the all-star team. Being a
small power forward put a chip on my shoulder.
CC: How did you come to Vermont?
TG: Jess Agel saw me at Five Star.
CC: What was his pitch?
TG: He sold me on the academics, the Public Ivy reputation. I wanted to go
to a good school. Basketball is important but it is only part of the
equation.
CC: Who else recruited you?
TG: Central Michigan came after me hard and also, I got a letter from
Michigan.
CC: TJ Sorrentine referred to you as "the heart and soul" of the team. How
does that make you feel?
TG: It makes me feel very good. He's one of the hardest working guys I've
ever seen.
CC: You guys talk a lot?
TG: I talked to him on the computer all the time. Thats my dawg!
CC:Recall one of your fondest memories at Vermont.
TG: It was the last night of preseason and the guys were over at my place.
We were partying, making a big huddle. We were talking about our goals for
the season. We were rapping.
CC: Who was the best rapper?
TG: HaHa! I was.
CC: Can Taylor rap?
TG: No. He is a basketball player, not a rapper.
CC: TJ?
TG: Yeah, he can rap a little. TJ and I are really the only guys that can
rap.
CC: How 'bout David Hehn?
TG: He's a very charismatic guy. He can do anything he puts his mind to.
CC: Discuss your experience with the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)?
TG: I went to a summer minicamp. It was a good experience. I thought I
played well but Kevin McHale told me I was too small.
CC:Where do you go from there?
TG: I've played all over the world: Mexico, Austria, Finland and South Korea.
CC: Would you play for the Frost Heaves?
TG: Sure, it's possible.
CC: Are you in touch with the current Vermont coaching staff?
TG: No, not at all.
CC: What's your funniest Tom Brennan story?
TG: Right off the top of my head, I remember when he called me at six in
the morning for his radio show. He asked me about "Dude Where's My Car."
It was pretty random.
CC: The floor is yours.
TG: When I tell people I went to Vermont, they don't know what to expect.
I tell them that it was the best experience of my life. I had some
terrific professors and met some of the greatest people, many of whom I
still stay in touch with.
CC: Thank you Trevor. Good Luck.
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