(MAY 18) Coach Dean Huffstickler at the age of 15 years old developed his passion for sports and skills in boxing. In the 1950's he trained with the Rutherfordton Police boxing team coached by the area's legendary Police Officer/Coach Red Bowers. During this time he competed in the AAU Golden Gloves tournaments, with having his most prized trophy in the 1958 GGG Novice weight was won in Gastonia.

Huffstickler served four years in the USAF and was honorably discharged in 1962. After returning home he married his wife, Peggy Hill , where they have been married over 56 plus years, having three children, and five grandchildren. They moved to Gastonia in 1964 where he joined the Gastonia Police Department (GPD).

During this time in the GPD, he saw firsthand young boys fighting in the streets, in the area of Gastonia which is why he prompted him, volunteers and about 12 youths to develop the Gastonia Police Youth Club in November of 1971.

Under Huffstickler's leadership as Athletic Director/Coach, the club became part of the National Police Athletic League called PAL. This was the start and expansion of baseball, football, and cheerleading squads with 200 plus kids in the programs.

In 1972 the American Boxing Federation (ABF) and the Amateur Athletes Union (AAU), selected Huffstickler one of two coaches for the Regional Jr. Olympic Boxing Team. From 1972 to 1977 he traveled extensively with the team competing throughout the USA, and eventually to Squaw Valley, California the Official USA JO Training Facility.

In 1979, Huffstickler was Host Coach for the Cubans when the USA Boxing teams battled Cuba and Ireland held at the Charlotte Coliseum. Among the Cuban boxers,  Teafilo Stevenson went on to win six World Amateur Boxing titles and the first to win three Olympic Gold medals in the same weight class.

In 1983, he was the corner coach for Evander Holyfield who went on to become a World Heavyweight title holder, among so many more accomplishments he has had throughout the years in law enforcement and boxing. Huffstickler retired from the GPD in 1990.  Video on Huffstickler:  link

Source: Article Gaston Gazette 11/09/2018, and Spectrum News Everyday Hero Clip 01/04/2019.  [Photo:  Facebook]