Athlete (1972-75) Patrick James Gullett

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Pat Gullett was an All-American track star athlete who attended Louisiana in the early seventies.

It was an era when suddenly the football program was being overhauled and overnight the basketball program was non-existent. Fortunately Track and Field rose to the top and helped carry the UL pride baton through this period with the 4x400 relay leading the way.

Patrick James Gullett was a key member of 4x100 relay team that ranked consistently in the top 5 nationally through the early 1970's. They could fly like the wind, and still hold the school record some 30+ years later.

Pat Gullett is a deserving member of Louisiana's S-Club Hall of Fame

Pat hands off the baton

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Pat Gullett 1973-74

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1975-76

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Patrick James Gullett crosses the finish line

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Pat Gullett second from left on row 2

[Louisiana84]

People:

The UL family lost someone special yesterday when Opelousas High track and field coach Pat Gullett passed away due to complications from a bleeding ulcer.

Gullett was part of the university's record-setting 4x100-meter relay squad that finished second nationally in 1972 and third in 1973.

The unit of Gullett, Harold Porter, Aaron Thompson and Don Credeur still holds the school record of 39.51 in the event in 1972, 32 years ago.

A UL hall-of-famer, Gullett still holds the school record in the 400-meter dash (45.73 in 1973) and ran on the Cajun sprint medley relay team that held the school record (3:17.79) until 1993.

[CajunChicken]

Pat Gullet was a first class individual. I was shocked when I read the paper this morning. He will be missed by all of us. May God Bless Coach Gullet.

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LOUISIANA La. - Former UL track and field All-American Pat Gullett, a teacher and coach in the Lafayette and St. Landry Parish school systems for the past two decades, died Thursday afternoon at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center.

Gullett was hospitalized over a week ago with stomach problems related to an ulcer, and battled liver and kidney failure over the past five days.

A native of Gary, Ind., Gullett was boys' track and field coach at Opelousas High at the time of his death. It was his second stint in that position, and he had also taught and coached there and at N.P. Moss Middle School as well as other schools in the two parishes.

Students and faculty members at Opelousas High held a blood drive in his behalf on Thursday prior to his death.

"I was privileged and honored to have taught him and advised him while he was at the university," said retired UL Lafayette professor Ed Dugas, now in charge of the school's Athletic Network. "We remained friends after his graduation, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him."

Gullett was part of the university's record-setting 4x100-meter relay squad that finished second nationally in 1972 and third in 1973. The unit of Gullett, Harold Porter, Aaron Thompson and Don Credeur still holds the school record of 39.51 in the event in 1972, 32 years ago.

The rest of the 05-07-2004 story

[Boomer]

top photo giving to Carl Lawson and next getting the stick from Don Creuder---I think---what a great one--Knew him as a performer and as a coach--God bless and thanks for so many great memories ----- I love ya Pat and will really miss you as one of the great Cajuns.

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He spent 26 years as a coach and an educator, shaping the lives of young student-athletes.

It has been a year since his unexpected death and the family of Opleouas High coach Pat Gullett wants to carry on his legacy through a $500 annual scholarship.

Pat's 22-year old son, Sean M. Gullett of San Diego has established the Patrick Gullett Memorial Scholarship.

The application process will begin April 1, 2006 with the deadline set for May 1.

Information regarding the scholarship requirements and an application can be obtained at the OHS counseling office.

Gullett coached at OHS from 1977 to 1986 and then returned to the Tiger program in 1995 and stayed there until his death.

According to Sean's mother, Sona Anderson, the scholarship is designated for an Opelousas High senior athlete that plans to major in education in college.

"We want to carry on his legacy," Anderson said. "Because he loved OHS so much, we decided we would only give the scholarship to someone from the school."

Gullett was an All-American track and field performer at USL (now the University of Louisiana) and coached in both Lafayette and St. Landry Parish schools in his career.

Gullett was part of USL's record setting 4x100 meter relay that finished second nationally in 1972 (39
.51) and third in 1973.

He set the school record in the 400 meter dash (45.73 in 1973) and ran on the Cajun sprint relay team that held the school record (3:17.79) until 1993.

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By Tom Dodge
tdodge@dailyworld.com