George Gaines Position: Director of Facilities Years at Upstate: 8th

George Gaines is in his eighth year at USC Upstate and his fifth as the director of athletic facilities and operations.

Gaines began working with USC Upstate athletics in 1999 when he enrolled in school after a 21-year military career. He was given the title of game management director last year. He is responsible for setup and breakdown of athletic venues, ticket sales at soccer matches, and coordinating maintenance of the athletic facilities.

A native of Sumter, S.C., Gaines graduated from Sumter High School in 1975 and enrolled at USC Sumter later that summer. After one semester at the school, he enlisted in the Army. He worked in communications throughout his four-year enlistment term. He left the Army in 1980 to pursue life in the private sector, but re-enlisted later that year. He remained with the Army until 1996 having served for 21 years.

Gaines worked in communications from 1976-85, working at bases throughout the country. He was stationed at Ft. Gordon (Ga.), Ft. Polk (La.), Ft. Huachuca (Ariz.), and Ft. Richardson (Alaska). From 1985-96, he was a recruiter working out of Albany, N.Y., and the Spartanburg/Columbia, S.C., areas.

Gaines and his wife, Brenda, were married in 1979 and have two children.

Gaines first became involved in athletics as the director of a youth soccer club in Albany, N.Y. He also coached Pop Warner football. Upon moving to the Spartanburg area, he began coaching Little League baseball in 1993. He continued in that role until 1999 when he enrolled at USC Upstate.

In addition to his work in the athletic department, Gaines is an operating partner in D&G Bail Bonds.