The Hercules High School community recently gathered to honor the life and contributions of Gerald “Coach G” Montgomery, in part by renaming the school’s gymnasium after him.
It is the third facility within the sports complex to be named after him, as the football and baseball fields were previously dedicated in his honor earlier this year, according to the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD).Â
At the recent gym dedication on Nov. 17, family and friends shared stories about Coach G’s accomplishments and impact. A new No. 23 flag was unveiled as a tribute to his legacy, according to the WCCUSD.
Coach G passed away in June 2022. His death impacted the whole community, with the school, school district, sports community, local organizations, the city and Hercules Police Department paying tribute to him.Â
WCCUSD Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Chris Hurst called his loss “a huge blow to everyone who knew him.” Fellow coaches said Coach G dedicated over three decades to local sports, developing many scholar athletes in the process.
“He was ‘Mr. Hercules’ for the 17 years he worked at Hercules High – doing things like hosting barbecues for students and staff, always looking out for everybody else,” Hurst said. “He was an important role model for so many students, but especially Hercules student-athletes, checking on their grades and staying on their case to be the best they can be.”
