Gibson retires from UW-L after 31 years, 17 national titles

Long-time coach had 32 individual national champions

Barbra Gibson went out on top. She coached the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse gymnastics team for 31 seasons, winning back-to-back titles the last two. Early this week, Gibson announced her retirement, leaving the program with 17 national titles, including 12 in the last 16 years. 

“After 38 memorable years of teaching and coaching, including 31 incredible years at UWL, I have decided it is time for me to move on and retire,” Gibson said. “I’m looking forward to more leisure time with family, grandchildren, friends and volunteer opportunities.”

Kasey Crawford has been named interim coach in place of Gibson, who coached 32 individual national champions and led UW-L to 20 WIAC team championships.

“I learned everything (from Gibson),” Crawford said. “I’ve learned how to develop athletes physically, mentally, emotionally from her. “I’ve learned how to take challenges and overcome them. She’s taught me how to the lead in the right way, serving  our athletes first and being for them as people.”

The search for a permanent coach is scheduled for once the season ends. Crawford says she’d definitely be interested in taking the job full time.

“It’s very humbling,” Crawford said of taking over. “I was able to experience the things she gave me, and now I know what to give the athletes of the future.”

GIBSON ACCOMPLISHMENTS (1986-2016)
NCGA Titles: 17 (1986, 1988, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016).
WIAC Titles: 20 (1988, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016).
NCGA Coach of the Year: 6 (1989, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2015).
WIAC Coach of the Year: 6 (1988, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2004).
Career Collegiate Record: 806-205 (.797)
Career UWL Record: 774-201 (.794)

TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER GIBSON
WIAC Scholar-Athletes: 16
CoSIDA Academic All-Americans®: 8
NCGA Academic All-America Honors: 70
NCGA Athletic All-America Honors: 209
NCGA Individual Champions: 32
WIAC Individual Champions: 78
(NCGA =National Collegiate Gymnastics Association)