Long-time coach provides 'GPS' for youths in book detailing challenges from childhood

A McCandless resident, known to many in the North Hills as Coach Dave Gray, is celebrating the release of his debut book, “Next Point Wins: A Playbook for Future Champions.”

The book details what it was like growing up as a foster child, finally being adopted, his challenges as a student and youth, and what got him through life.

“It occurred to me why I connect so well with kids and young adults. It’s because I’m no different from them. I’ve experienced many of the same fears, confusion, lack of self-confidence and that sense of being alone that many young people feel right now. We all want to be ‘seen’ and know that we matter,” Gray said.

He is hosting a book signing from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 20 at D1 Training North Pittsburgh in Cranberry.

Gray calls the book a “GPS” for young people, a “guide to help them navigate the challenging and often difficult years of middle school and high school.”

It’s filled with lessons Gray learned in three decades of coaching, mentoring and working with youths across Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. The 1988 North Allegheny graduate founded CDG Sports Events, a youth sports and recreation company, 26 years ago.

“Every single child I’ve ever worked with plays a huge, integral role in this book,” Gray said.

The idea for a book rose about four years ago when he was reflecting on his life.

Gray lived the first seven years of his life in foster homes and with extended family members, who would take him for a month or two before handing him off to another family member to do the same.

Eventually, his Aunt Ginny and Uncle Jim decided to become his legal guardians and take them into their home, which is when he began attending North Allegheny.

“Growing up in foster homes and moving from family to family, school to school, taught me to be resilient. When no one else was cheering for me, I recognized that I needed to be my biggest cheerleader. I believe in myself because I know how much adversity I have already overcome,” he said.

Gray had plenty of opportunities to quit but forged onward and wants to share this message with other youths, he said.

Sharing a short sample from the book, he recalled the first day of middle school as a new sixth grader. He was nervous, wondering about friendships or if he’d be ignored.

When the bus arrived, carrying his bookbag and band saxophone, the door opened and Gray panicked because it was “jam-packed.”

Despite a few open seats, no one budged. With the bus driver ordering him to sit, he made an embarrassing decision, placing his saxophone case in the middle of the aisle and sitting on it.

“Tears streaming down my face, I did everything I could to play this moment off. But I couldn’t. It was at that time, in my lowest moment, that an eighth grader came walking up to where I was sitting and didn’t ask me, but told me, to come sit with him,” said Gray, noting the student’s courage and compassion.

“He didn’t know me, but he saw me. He saw my pain, and he decided to make a difference. You never know when one act of courage or kindness can positively change the trajectory of someone’s life,” said Gray, who was awarded the 2023 North Allegheny Distinguished Alumni Spirit Award.

For details about the book and to order a copy, visit coachdavegray.com/book or nextpointwinsbook.com.