BIO

Michael Gill excelled in the classroom, as well as on the hardwood and gridiron. His determination, competitiveness and will to win were the ingredients that allowed him to become one of the best and most suc­cessful two-sport student athletes to ever wear a Red Raider uniform.

Mike played three years of varsity football and basketball. His exceptional competitive level propelled him to perform far beyond his abilities in both sports. His exceptional work ethic resulted in an improved level of performance every season. The energy and effort Michael exerted in practice on a daily basis was contagious – a coach’s dream.
During Mike’s three-year varsity career the Red Raider football team achieved three consecutive 7-3 seasons – an impressive 70% winning rate. Each season concluded with victories over our annual Thanksgiving Day foe. In 1982, it was a 27-6 home victory, a 14-8 road win followed in 1983 and a 28-0 shutout at home in 1984 capped off Michael’s senior football season. In an offense geared primarily to running the football, the combative wide receiver scored forty-six points, nearly one quarter of lhe team’s total output of 205 points for the 1984 season.

Mark Titus, then BHS head football coach, said of Gill that “It was his toughness, poise and ability to perform under pressure” that characterized Gill’s level of play.

Gill emerged as a varsity basketball player in his sophomore year as a result of his defensive talents. He expanded his game each season and developed into a complete player. His passion for competition and his leadership were key components to three successful and exciting basketball seasons. Back-to-back 13-7 seasons in 1982-83 and 1983-84 were the building blocks for his scintillating senior season. Gill’s varsity basketball teams compiled a record of 45-18 – a winning percentage of 71% – including a perfect 6-0 record against Falmouth. The 1984-85 season – with a final record of 19-4 – included a Southeastern Mass Conference-Division 1 Co-Championship that included a 12-game winning streak and an exciting tournament run to the Div. I South Final. An early-season home loss to powerhouse Durfee was avenged with a thrilling 44-37 victory at Durfee later in the season. New Bedford defeated the Red Raiders at their gym, but that loss was also countered by a Red Raider 61-57 home victory against the Whalers. A 30-foot buzzer-beater by Gill in the 46-44 tournament home-opener over Bridgewater-Raynham was followed by a second round win over Norwood. Michael’s senior season ended with a loss to Xaverian led by future Boston Celtic and Seattle Supersonic star Dana Barros. Xaverian possessed too much firepower that day, but the Raiders displayed the same attributes as this BHS Hall of Fame athlete-competitiveness, poise, determination and an incomparable desire to win. He was inducted to the BHS Hall of Fame Nov. 24, 2012.