For Laurel Highlands great, it’s all about the assist now

and colleges to corporations.

“My passion now is helping other people. That’s been my goal in life for a while. It’s not hard for me to talk about my story because it helps me, reminds me of where I once was and how far you can come. I don’t mind sharing my story because hopefully it can be an inspiration to others. You can survive. You don’t have to give up on loved ones. It might seem so bad, but you can recover and make a comeback.” Just like Gerard. When it comes to great players from Western Pa., Gerard’s name should be in the conversation. He was a 6foot-7 forward with great leaping ability who played above the rim. As a senior at Laurel Highlands in 1971, Gerard led the Mustangs to a section title, winning a onegame playoff against rival Uniontown. He played for legendary coach Harold “Horse” Taylor and Laurel Highlands made it to the WPIAL quarterfinals, but lost to Gateway at the Civic Arena in front of 7,828 fans. Gerard was selected to play in the feature game of the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic.

This should tell you how good Gerard was at Laurel Highlands: His final four college choices were Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Pitt. He chose Virginia and in 1973-74 averaged 20.8 points, second in the ACC only to legendary North Carolina State player David Thompson. Gerard was selected to the U.S. team for the 1974 World University Games and was the team’s third-leading scorer. Indiana’s Quinn Buckner and Maryland’s John Lucas were two of his teammates.

After Gerard’s junior year, the Carolina Cougars selected him in the ABA undergraduate draft. The Cougars were throwing big money at Gerard, but he could come back to Virginia for his final season if he wanted. The Cougars folded and became the Spirits of St. Louis.

“The Spirits flew me to New York and offered me $950,000 guaranteed for five years and another $75,000 for a signing bonus,” said Gerard. “Instantly, I could have a million dollars. I never had more than $20 in my pocket in my life. I figured I could pay off my parents house, buy my dad a truck. It was a no brainer for me.”

At St. Louis, Gerard started on the front line with Marvin Barnes and Maurice Lucas, a former star at Schenley. Gerard and Lucas played against each other in high school and together in the Roundball. Gerard made the ABA all-star game one season. He eventually played in the NBA when the ABA folded and averaged 10 points one season for the Denver Nuggets. He played for the Buffalo Braves with former Pitt star Billy Knight. He also played in the NBA with the Kansas City Kings, the Detroit Pistons and the San Antonio Spurs. His career ended in 1981.

Gerard said the alcohol and drugs helped put an early end to his career.

“Partying had taken over my priorities,” said Gerard. “So many bigger-name guys were doing it and the reports came out about them. I was one of those guys who was drinking and partying, but I never missed a plane, was never late for practice and always showed up for everything. There was no reason to suspect I had this secret life.

“When basketball was over for me, I continued that lifestyle, spending my money. My life was on a downward spiral and it resulted in me actually becoming suicidal.”

Gerard says on that May day of 1993, after the failed suicide attempt, he had a life-altering moment when he went into his home and found out about former NBA player John Lucas and his overcoming substance abuse. Lucas had a treatment center in Houston. Gerard called his sister, Roxanne, and asked for help.

“She gave me a one-way ticket to Houston and that’s where I went to John Lucas’ center,” said Gerard. “I’ve been clean ever since May 26, 1993.”

Gerard has two children from a previous marriage and his wife has two previous children. Gerard moved back to Uniontown four years ago to be with his ill mother, who eventually passed away. Gerard is happy — and willing to help.

“Sometimes, you plan your life and it throws you a loop,” said Gerard. “Then you have toadjust and adapt.”