Kenneth Carlyle "Gerry" Gerard (July 14, 1903 – January 17, 1951) was an American basketball and soccer coach. He served as the head basketball coach at Duke University from 1943 to 1950, compiling a record of 131–78. Gerard first arrived at Duke to serve as the director of intramural sports in 1931. He helped form the Duke Blue Devils men's soccer program in 1935, coaching the team for 11 seasons.

Gerry Gerard
Biographical details
Born(1903-07-14)July 14, 1903
Indiana, U.S.
DiedJanuary 17, 1951(1951-01-17) (aged 47)
Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
Playing career
Football
c. 1925Illinois
Basketball
c. 1925Illinois
Track and field
c. 1925Illinois
Position(s)End, quarterback (football)
Javelin (track and field)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1928Athen HS (PA)
Basketball
1941–1943Duke (assistant)
1943–1950Duke
Soccer
1935–1948Duke
Head coaching record
Overall131–78 (basketball)
41–27–10 (soccer)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Basketball
1 SoCon regular season (1943)
2 SoCon tournament (1944, 1946)
Awards
Basketball
SoCon Coach of the Year (1944, 1946)

A native of Mishawaka, Indiana, Gerard attended the University of Illinois, where played basketball and football as an end and quarterback. He also threw the javelin on Illinois track team.[1] He graduated from Illinois in June 1928 with a Bachelor of Science degree and began his career that fall as a teacher and head football coach at the high school in Athens, Pennsylvania.[2][3]

Gerard joined the Duke basketball coaching staff in 1941, acting as an assistant coach under Eddie Cameron for two seasons, prior to being named head coach in 1943. He coached Duke for eight seasons (1943–1950), winning the Southern Conference tournament and Coach of the Year honors in 1944 and 1946.

Gerard's health began to decline in 1949 and he took a leave of absence in November 1950.[4] He died on January 17, 1951, at Duke University Hospital, in Durham, North Carolina after a serious injury lasting several months.[5][6]

Head coaching record

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Basketball

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Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Duke Blue Devils (Southern Conference) (1942–1950)
1942–43 Duke 20–6 12–1 1st
1943–44 Duke 13–13 4–2 T–3rd
1944–45 Duke 13–9 6–1 3rd
1945–46 Duke 21–6 12–2 2nd
1946–47 Duke 19–8 10–4 3rd
1947–48 Duke 17–12 8–6 7th
1948–49 Duke 13–9 5–7 10th
1949–50 Duke 15–15 9–7 8th
Duke: 131–78 66–30
Total: 131–78

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

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  1. ^ "Gerry Gerard Dies At Age 47". South Bend Tribune. South Bend, Indiana. January 17, 1951. p. 16, section 2. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  2. ^ "Athens Secures Gridiron Star For High Coach". Elmira Star-Gazette. Elmira, New York. August 27, 1928. p. 12. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  3. ^ "Kenneth Gerard Is Coach At Duke U." The Evening Times. Sayre, Pennsylvania. May 21, 1931. p. 3. Retrieved August 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  4. ^ Roth, John (2006). The Encyclopedia of Duke Basketball. Duke University Press. p. 122. ISBN 978-0-822-33904-5.
  5. ^ "Funeral Rites Set Today Art 2:30 For Gerry Gerard". The Herald-Sun. Durham, North Carolina. January 18, 1951. p. 1, section 1. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
  6. ^ "Funeral For Gerard Today (continued)". The Herald-Sun. Durham, North Carolina. January 18, 1951. p. 2, section 2. Retrieved August 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
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