Gaston Freeman

Basketball

Gaston Freeman came to Maine Township in 1957 as a teacher and coach. In 1959, he became Maine West's first varsity basketball coach and assistant baseball coach. Gaston had a long and illustrious tenure as a coach, posting 575 wins. He had two teams, 1963-64 and 1964-65, that were undefeated in Conference play. His 1963 and 1971 teams were also Conference champions. Gaston ws the assistant baseball coach for the 1963 Maine West baseball State champions. Gaston was named Coach of the Year by the Illinois Basketball Coaches' Association in 1977. He was also named to the Chicago Daily News All-Area Team Selection Board and has been inducted into both the Western Illinois University's Hall of Fame and the Illinois Basketball Coaches' Hall of Fame. His talents and commitment to coaching and children are commendable. We welcome him to the Maine West Coaches' Hall of Fame.

Inducted 1999