Gayle Hatch

Gayle Hatch (born May 7, 1939) is a USA Weightlifting Senior U.S. International Coach.^[1] He served as Head Coach of the men’s 2004 USA Olympic Weightlifting Team in Athens, Greece.

Additionally, Gayle Hatch is a member of the USA Strength and Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame, the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame and the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame.^[2]

The Gayle Hatch Weightlifting Team has won 49 USA Weightlifting National Championships. Gayle Hatch athletes have competed in 1984, 1988 and 1992 US Olympic Weightlifting Teams and twelve USA World Teams. Some of the distinguished lifters include Olympian and World Team Members Bret Brian, Tommy Calandro, Blair Lobrano, and Matt Bruce.^[3]

Gayle Hatch and Mel Didier at Baton Rouge’s Catholic High School Coach Gayle Hatch and Coach Mel Didier were honored at a recent Catholic High School basketball game. Mel Didier was a Coach at Catholic High School while Hatch played as a freshman. He was the only freshman in the district playing varsity ball. In 1957, Gayle Hatch's senior year, Catholic High won the District Championship. He set a record in the state play-off with a double/double 35.5 points and 22.5 rebounds per game in the top classification, a records that has stood for 54 years. Gayle Hatch's 37 points and 24 rebounds in the state semi-final game is still the best double/double in the LHSAA’s top classification. This high school play set the foundation for a record setting college career. At Northwestern State University on December 12, 1961, Hatch scored 44 points and had 18 rebounds against Kentucky Wesleyan. In that performance, he scored 18 of 21 field goal attempts (.857) which is a state college record for 20 attempts or more. It is not only a state record but also ranks as one of college basketball’s all time best. It’s an honor to be in the record book with the likes of Bob Pettit, Pete Maravich and Shaquille O’Neal. Mel Didier’s was a big part in helping Coach Hatch achieve his successes.^[4]

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