The competitive side of
Bell (Hurst) baseball coach Paul Gibson causes him to initially rate the 2013 regular season as a disappointment, based on his Blue Raiders' 14-17-1 record.
A coach doesn't win eight district titles in 20 seasons without high expectations.
Paul Gibson, Bell
File photo by Lonnie Erickson
But factoring in Gibson's ongoing 12-month battle against a disease that afflicts only one in 8 million, the coach concedes, "I'm just lucky to be here.''
Bell's baseball team took a page in determination from its head coach, putting together a late-season six-game winning streak to secure a postseason appearance.
A 5-1 win over Nimitz (Irving) on April 22, career win No. 399 (against 232 losses) for Gibson, helped the Blue Raiders secure the No. 4 playoff berth from District 6-5A.
A team that began the season with little returning experience and a lot of youthful faces, Bell will face District 5-5A champion Flower Mound in a best-of-three bi-district playoff series starting on Thursday.
In recognition for leading Bell to its 13th playoff appearance in 20 seasons despite severe physical challenges, Gibson was selected the Dallas High Yield Coach of the Week presented by Capital One Bank.
It took visits to a succession of specialists last spring to determine Gibson had developed amyloidosis, a rare life-threatening disease in which abnormal proteins build up in organs and cause them to fail. No cure exists, but the disease can be controlled.
Cramping in his calves followed by kidney problems and a general lack of energy were the initial symptoms for the 49-year-old. Happily, the disease was diagnosed in an early stage.
Last July, he received a first round of chemotherapy and a transplant of his own stem cells at the famed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
The L.D. Bell community sent the coach to Minnesota with a prayer vigil and later a fundraiser to help with medical expenses.
Fellow coaches like
Richland (North Richland Hills) head baseball coach Chuck Wells have rallied support: "Paul Gibson has influenced kids lives on and off the field. He has influenced me since I became a head coach six years ago. He continues to compete every day and does not like to take credit for anything.''
In November, a Mayo Clinic checkup revealed that more chemo would be needed because the amyloid was not in total remission.
Gibson wasn't feeling well enough to lead Bell's offseason workouts, but he had extra incentive to return for the regular season. He wanted to coach youngest son
Blake Gibson, a senior third baseman. Gibson had previously coached elder son Bryce, currently a 20-year-old student at the University of Texas.
Remarkably, Gibson has not missed a practice all season. On game night, he has been in his customary spot in the third base coaching box. However, a concession to his stamina problem is more time than normal sitting in the dugout.
"All of this has put a lot of things in perspective,‘' Gibson said. "It has been a challenge for me from an energy level, but I'm thankful I've been able to be there with Blake and experience it. It hasn't been the greatest year, but we're in the playoffs.''
Through it all, Cherie, his wife of 25 years, has been by the coach's side.
"I never took her for granted before all this,'' Gibson said, "and I really don't now.''
Gibson's religious faith has remained unwavering.
He even calls the experience a blessing because of the volume of support he has received.
"This has happened for a reason and I make it a point to share my testimony,'' Gibson said. "You know the Lord is using you for some reason. It is a lot bigger than just me.''