Fayette, Mo. – The Central Methodist University community is mourning the passing of Hall of Famer and Central Methodist alumni Levern Gaskin, Jr. Gaskin passed away at home on Oct. 19, 2020, in Bridgeport, Conn.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. at Baker-Isaac Funeral Services Chapel, 985 Stratford Ave., Bridgeport, Conn. The family will receive guests from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service at the chapel. Interment will immediately follow at Lakeview Cemetery, 885 Boston Ave. in Bridgeport, Conn.
"We are saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Gaskin," said Vice President for Athletics & Student Life, Natasha Wilson. "He certainly made an impact within the Eagles Athletics programs. He has left a legacy of excellence which we are honored to have shared with him."
Gaskin, a 1972 graduate of Central Methodist, was a member of both the football and track & field programs, where he was a First Team All-Conference performer in football in 1967 and 1968. He was a part of the legendary 1967 football team, which finished with one of the highest winning percentages in program history, posting a 6-1-1 overall record, an accomplishment that had not been matched since the 1930s.
Gaskin, was also an outstanding athlete for the track & field team, running the 100m and 220m sprints. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health from Central in 1972.
His athletic accomplishments translated well into the coaching ranks, where he broke numerous racial barriers while at Central Methodist. During his time with the Eagles, he became the first African American Assistant Football Coach at Fayette High School (1971-1972); the first African American Head Basketball Coach at WN Clark Middle School (1971-1972), and the first African-American (Student) Assistant Basketball Coach for Central Methodist (1970-1971).
In addition to his athletic/coaching accomplishments, Gaskin was instrumental in integrating the CMU campus and Fayette community in the late '60s. He recruited several African American students to join him in Fayette and led the efforts in integrating several local businesses. His determination helped broaden the motivation of many to end racial discrimination in Fayette.
After graduation from Central Methodist, Levern received a job offer in Lincoln, Rhode Island to become a physical education teacher and the head boy's basketball coach at William M. Davies Jr. Career & Technical High School. While at the helm of the program, Gaskin led his program to seven division championships and back-to-back state titles in 1984-85 and 1985-86. His success continued well into the next decade, posting an incredible 66-6 record through 72 games in the early 1990s.
In his 28 years as head coach, Gaskin not only turned inexperienced basketball players into all-division and all-state performers, but he helped mold them into outstanding young men. Upon his retirement from the coaching ranks, Davies school officials elected to rename the gymnasium in honor of Gaskin as "Gaskin Alumni Hall." Along the walls of the gymnasium, an addendum reads, "The House that Gaskin Built."
His inspiration and impact are felt from coast to coast, as his mentorship helped many of his teammates and peers stay in school, and to continue their education upon graduation. Longtime friend and teammate Charles Bentley reflected on Levern's impact during a telephone conversation. "He was a role model. For a lot of teammates and classmates that struggled with classes, Levern would be the one to help them raise and maintain their GPA. In addition, because I was in a different environment, I considered leaving, but Levern convinced me to stay. He was such a great person, and he is truly going to be missed."
Levern also served as a mentor to several members of the Fayette community, including former resident Russana Rowles. "Mr. Gaskin took a particular interest in my brother, Keith, and supported him in becoming more focused on school and sports. He mentored my older sister, first cousin, and me. I am confident that if Mr. Gaskin had not taken an interest in my future, I would not have gone to college or achieved the successes I did. Over the years, I purposefully paid forward the care and mentorship Mr. Gaskin afforded me.
For his accomplishments during his time as a player and coach, Levern was inducted into the Central Methodist Athletics' Hall of Fame in 2016.
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