A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Hartsville High School Head baseball Coach Tony Gainey UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT at the end of the 2025 season AFTER YEARS OF OUTSTANDING coaching, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives have learned that Coach Tony Gainey will begin a well-deserved retirement after years as a premier teacher and coach, the last eighteen of which have been as the highly regarded head baseball coach at Hartsville High School; and

 

Whereas, a standout player for the Hartsville Red Fox baseball and football teams from 1979 to 1983 with two state championships as a player, Coach Gainey began as an assistant coach for Hartsville in 2001 and became head coach in 2009; and

 

Whereas, the Red Foxes have had success under Coach Gainey, winning several regional titles, including a stretch of five consecutive, and winning the lower state title three times.  His overall record at the beginning of the 2025 season is 269-128; and

 

Whereas, memorable times on the field for Coach Gainey have included the Red Foxes first win against Blythewood High School and the twenty-plus Southeastern Baseball Classic tournaments that have been hosted in Hartsville, along with the talent that those tournaments brought in; and 

 

Whereas, he has appreciated overnight trips to tournaments away from Hartsville, like the HIT tournament, the IP Classics, and the Greenwood tournaments, because they provide time for the players and coaches to bond in a way that does not happen in the regular baseball schedule; and

 

Whereas, Coach Gainey was heading into a promising season with an early 5-0 record when COVID ended the season prematurely. The next season was equally heartbreaking as it ended when the team was defeated in the playoffs before having a chance to play for the state championship at Airport High School; and

 

Whereas, developing meaningful relationships with opposing coaches, his assistant coaches, and most importantly his players has been a highlight for Coach Gainey.  He especially enjoys running into former players who have grown into fine young men who still call him coach; and

 

Whereas, Coach Gainey was not in the habit of arousing the ire of umpires, and he boasted of having only one ejection from a game in all the years of coaching at Hartsville. He does remember, however, as an assistant coach watching some tennis balls get thrown out of the dugout and a can of spray paint for the umpire to paint home plate so he could actually see it; and

 

Whereas, grateful for his many years of celebrated service to education and athletics at Hartsville High School, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Coach Tony Gainey as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead, and the members wish him many years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Hartsville High School head baseball Coach Tony Gainey upon the occasion of his retirement at the end of the 2025 season after years of outstanding coaching, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Head Coach Tony Gainey.

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