C.E. "Big House" Gaines Scholarship

Coach Clarence Big House Gaines portrait in suit

A Legend Beyond the Court

For nearly half a century, Coach Gaines transformed Winston-Salem State University into a basketball powerhouse — and transformed young people into leaders. His story is told best through the words of those who knew him.

Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982, Coach Gaines remains one of the most important figures in the history of college basketball and historically Black colleges and universities.

The Name That Became Legend

"Boy, I never seen anything bigger than you but a house."

— Morgan State Business Manager upon seeing the 6'3", 265-lb freshman Clarence Gaines arrive on campus, 1941

Born in Paducah, Kentucky, Clarence Edward Gaines graduated as class salutatorian from Lincoln High School. An All-State football player with academic credentials that could have taken him anywhere, Jim Crow segregation limited his choices. A family physician — a schoolmate of Morgan State's legendary football coach Eddie Hurt — steered the young Gaines to Baltimore.

It was there, at Morgan State University, that a single remark gave him the name the basketball world would never forget. From that day forward, Clarence Gaines was "Big House" — and he wore it like a crown.

Coach Big House Gaines with players on the basketball court

828 Victories, One Home

"Big House was an all-timer. His basketball record is probably just a paragraph compared to all the other things he accomplished. He was a great teacher, a great family man, and just a wonderful person."

— Billy Packer CBS Basketball Analyst & Wake Forest Graduate

When Coach Gaines retired from Winston-Salem State University in 1993, he was the winningest active basketball coach in NCAA history — second all-time only to Kentucky's Adolph Rupp. He led the Rams to 18 twenty-win seasons, coached two future Hall of Famers, and in 1967 guided WSSU to the NCAA Division II Championship — making the Rams the first HBCU to capture an NCAA national championship.

In 1982, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — one of the few African Americans to be honored as a coach. Yet those who knew him always said the numbers were the smallest part of his story.

Big House, The Pearl, and The Triumph of Winston-Salem State

The story of the 1966–67 WSSU Rams' historic 31-1 season and NCAA Championship under Coach Gaines.

More Than a Win-Loss Record

"He was like a father to so many, and if you had a problem you could go to him, and he helped you out. And he even helped you out after you were done playing there. He helped all of us as student-athletes — athletically, academically, and socially."

— Cleo Hill First African American from an HBCU drafted #1 in the NBA, 1961

"Coach's legacy will be more about how he helped create men and women while they were at Winston-Salem State. Coach knew that we all needed to get our diplomas so we could have careers outside of basketball."

— Earl "The Pearl" Monroe NBA Hall of Famer & WSSU Class of 1967

"For Clarence 'Big House' Gaines, coaching college basketball meant much more than a win-loss record — it meant coaching young men to leave their mark on society."

— WSSU Tribute Documentary They Call Him Big House, 2015

He credits the quiet, firm manner his father used to raise him as his guide in dealing with student-athletes throughout his coaching career. From his parents in Paducah, Kentucky, he learned the importance of hard work and social responsibility — values he passed on to every young man who came through his program.

Coach Gaines' "Bump" Philosophy

Coach Gaines explains his basketball philosophy in his own words.

The Bowling Coach

"Coach Gaines taught me bowling when I was a student at WSSU, 1960–64. I was an excellent bowler — I had to be, because he didn't play with you."

— WSSU Alumnus Remembering Coach Gaines' passion for bowling

Beyond the basketball court, Big House Gaines was known as a fierce and devoted bowler. He brought the same intensity and high standards to the bowling lanes that he brought to every aspect of his life. For his students, learning to bowl with Coach Gaines was learning a broader lesson — that excellence was not optional, no matter the arena.

"The many championships he won seem unimportant compared to the influence he had on the lives of young men and women. He was respected by people of all races and creeds. We'll never see someone like him again."

— Mary Garber Legendary Winston-Salem sports writer who worked alongside Gaines for 50 years

"Some people say, 'If he was so good, why didn't he coach in the ACC?' Well, people don't have any understanding that he was never given the opportunity. I always remember something John Thompson said when he won the national championship at Georgetown. People asked what does it feel like to be the first Black person to coach a team to a national championship? And his comment was, 'It's only because those that were far better than I was never given the opportunity.' And obviously, the people he was talking about were Big House."

— Billy Packer CBS Basketball Analyst

They Call Him Big House — A Tribute to the Legend

The official WSSU tribute documentary celebrating Coach Gaines' life and legacy.

The C.E. Gaines Endowed Scholarship

The C.E. Gaines Endowed Scholarship honors the extraordinary legacy of Coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines and his profound impact on Winston-Salem State University. Established to support WSSU men's and women's basketball student-athletes, this endowed fund has grown into one of the university's significant athletic scholarships, providing meaningful financial assistance to deserving students each year.

With a strong endowment performance and continued donor support, the scholarship helps ensure that student-athletes can excel academically and athletically while carrying forward Coach Gaines' tradition of excellence, leadership, and integrity.

Current Scholarship Recipients

Tyre Boykin

Men's Basketball — Class of 2026

Interdisciplinary Studies

White Oak, NC

Honor the Legacy. Fuel the Rams.

Your gift to the C.E. Gaines Endowed Scholarship directly supports WSSU basketball student-athletes — helping them pursue their education while competing at the highest level. Every contribution, no matter the size, carries forward Coach Gaines' belief that athletics and academics go hand in hand.

How to Give

Click the button below to give online securely
On the giving form, select C.E. Gaines Endowed Scholarship under “I want to support”
Choose a one-time gift or set up a recurring monthly contribution

Give to the C.E. Gaines Scholarship

For questions about giving, contact the WSSU Department of Athletics at (336) 750-2141.

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