The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
10.16.2007 | Track & Field / Cross Country m, Track & Field / Cross Country
While at the University, Hollis Gainey was a part of two world record-setting relay teams and helped the UT track team to numerous accomplishments. This November, the decorated Texas sprinter will add another honor to his collection and will be one of seven Texas Exes enshrined at this year's Longhorn Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony.
Fifty years ago, Gainey and his teammates were setting world records on the track in the 440-yard and 880-yard relays. They were the first team to run the 440-yard relay in under 40 seconds (39.9 seconds at the 1957 Kansas Relay). Gainey earned All-America honors at the 1957 NCAA Track and Field Championships at Memorial Stadium and also helped his team take gold at the prestigious Penn Relays in the 440-yard relay the same year.
Being on a world record-setting team is a great memory for Gainey. He along with his teammates made up one of the most phenomenal track units in the world and he credits his teammates and the competition for his team's success.
"It felt great [being on a world record-setting relay team]," Gainey remembered. "I'll tell you what, I had some great, great teammates, and we worked well together. We didn't actually set a goal to break world records but when you get in fast competition those things just happen. That's what happened with us. We worked real great as a unit. We had the same four for two years, and then one graduated and then we picked up the fourth one our senior year. So basically the relay unit consisted of five runners."
One of Gainey's most memorable races came against stiff competition, Abilene Christian University. The ACU track squad boasted Olympic gold medal sprinter Bobby Morrow. Morrow had won three gold medals during the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. The setting was in the Texas track team's back-yard during the 1957 Texas Relays and the race was the 880-yard relay that the team eventually set a world record in.
"There were several [memorable races] but I guess I would have to come back to one that occurred at the Texas Relays," Gainey recalled. "We had great, great competition in the 880-yard relay. It was going to be a battle with Abilene Christian in the 880-yard relay. They had drawn an inside lane, and we were in lane seven and you know in relays on the outside lanes it's harder to judge because you can't see what the inside teams are doing. That really put the pressure on us. We knew that we had to get down and get after it because it's hard to tell who has the lead on that until the anchor leg comes down on the last turn. We won it and set a world record in that event so I would have to say that would be my most memorable race."
Noted journalist, author and former UT track team member, Carlton Stowers grew up in West Texas and remembers Gainey from his time at Colorado City High School and throughout his career at Texas.
"What always impressed me about someone like Hollis Gainey is that he was always in the shadow of Eddie Southern, and Hollis was involved in all these great relay teams that set collegiate and world records and seemed to be very satisfied with being a part of the team rather than individual accolades," Stowers recalled. "He had been the superstar all through high school, but he adopted this role in college where he was an outstanding sprinter and he was happy with being a part of winning and they had wonderful relay teams that he was a part of."
After graduating from Texas with a degree in Science and Health and Physical Education, Gainey went on to serve in the military and later work in education.
"I graduated in 1959, and of course the draft was still active and I went into the service for two years," Gainey said. "After that, I began my teaching and coaching career, and from there I went on into administration for a total of about 41 years."
Gainey's career as a football and track coach sometimes kept him from making trips to the Texas Relays for reunions as often as he may have wanted, but he still made time for some small get-togethers with former teammates and friends. He's looking forward to the Longhorn Hall of Honor Ceremony not only for the award but as a chance to see some of his old friends.
Now, back in his hometown of Colorado City, Texas, Gainey's enshrinement into the Hall of Honor came as a shock.
"I was completely surprised and caught off guard when I was notified about it," Gainey said. "I had no idea what the call was about, it just caught me by surprise. I was just in awe of it, actually. It's a great, great feeling."
The University of Texas has many distinguished alumni, and Gainey's contributions and his involvement in establishing the University as one of the nation's best track programs certainly makes his induction a deserving one.
"Their teams were the benchmark that all the other college relay teams were shooting for, from the 440-relay to the 880-relay to the mile relay," Stowers stated. "Texas set the standard in those days."
Gainey's induction has been a long time coming and certainly is well deserved.
