WATCH: Space Coast Sports Hall of Famer Mike Gaudy Among Few To Win Boys, Girls State Hoops Titles

SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME 2012 INDUCTEE 

WATCH: For four decades Mike Gaudy was a major force and highly a successful coach in both girls and boys basketball at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School.

MIKE GAUDY – 2012 INDUCTEE: Girls State Championship, Boys State Championship  and 10 Final Four Appearances

CHARISMATIC, INSPIRING LEADER

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – For four decades Mike Gaudy was a major force and highly a successful coach in both girls and boys basketball at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School.

A charismatic and inspiring leader, he is one of just a few coaches to win state championships in each hoops category.

Gaudy was also the school’s athletic director, the girls’ tennis coach for several years, the offensive coordinator for the football team, a junior varsity baseball coach and a middle school track and field coach.

He taught science and physical education before he became the athletic director. After resigning his post as the boys’ basketball coach, he became the cheerleading coach when a coach quit at the last minute.

1988 GIRLS STATE TITLE

Gaudy guided his Girls basketball teams at Cocoa Beach to 10 appearances in the state Final Four, winning the championship in 1988.

“The 1988 team wasn’t one of my better teams, but they had fantastic leadership,’’ he said.

During this time period, the 3-point play was added to high school basketball and Gaudy was a master in utilizing it to his team’s advantage.

“We developed shooters and gave them spots to shoot from,’’ Gaudy said.

“The mid-range game has become forgotten a bit. Girls play a lot of zone, and it was not hard for us to get good looks. Scoring 90 points a game was unheard of until we started to do it. And that was for a 32-minute game when there was a slaughter rule.’’

Gaudy’s daughter, Leigh, was a standout player for the 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999 teams. She went on to play for the University of North Florida.

2004 BOYS STATE TITLE

Gaudy guided the Minutemen Boys to the 2004 Class 3A state title. That team split two regular-season meetings with a seasoned Florida Air Academy squad, which boasted Sasha Kaun and Walter Hodge.

Cocoa Beach won the third meeting between the teams in the Class 3A district tournament, which was crucial since it meant obtaining the home-court advantage for at least the opening round of the state playoffs.

The Minutemen trounced Monsignor pace 61-32 in the semifinals of the State Final Four in Lakeland and defeated Mike Moran’s St. Petersburg Catholic squad 57-47 for the Class 3A title.

“The highlight was how we got there,’’ said Gaudy, who graduated from Melbourne Central Catholic in 1972.

“We had to go through Florida Air Academy and beat Eustis at their place. Florida Air had four really good players. Sometimes, the right players come along. It was an enjoyable group of kids to coach. For it to happen was exciting for the community. With the girls, it was expected. With the boys, it was a surprise.’’

Gaudy later was able to coach his sons, T.J. and Kyle, who both played well for his basketball team. Now that he’s retired form coaching, there’s more time to spend with wife, Melody.

Gaudy’s passion is now paddleboard surfing.

“I took it up a couple of years ago. I highly recommend it to anyone,’’ said Gaudy, who was born on July 2, 1954 and is an alumnus of the University of Florida.

FOR INFORMATION about the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, call 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com.

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