|
|
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Gymnastics Camps Coaching Staff Instructors in our program will primarily consist of UW-La Crosse gymnasts who have been involved with the sport of gymnastics for 12 or more years.  Head Coach Barbara GibsonEntering her 23rd season as gymnastics coach of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2007-08, Barbara Gibson has developed the system to continually turn out one of the most successful Division III gymnastics programs in the nation. “As I look at the gymnastics program the last 20 years, I feel we have a system in place and the program continues to get better and better,” Gibson said. “We’ve been able to recruit the athletes from one year to the next that can contribute to our goal, which is to finish in the top three in the country.” With the success she has enjoyed with the Eagles’ gymnastics program, there’s little reason to alter that system. “I’m at a point in my coaching career where I just need to refine the little things, but it is still stressful from the standpoint of maintaining the degree of excellence we’ve enjoyed.” One of the keys to Gibson’s success as a coach has been how she relates to her athletes. “The most important goal is for each person to realize their potential,” Gibson said. “Individually, if they reach their goals, they realize the potential they possess and are more confident to utilize it. As a team, if individuals reach their goals, the team will be ultimately successful.” A former conference champion gymnast herself, she understands the commitment and dedication the sport requires to be successful. Gibson was the 1975 Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion on the balance beam for UW-L. She was also the conference champion in the floor exercise in 1978. “I believe gymnasts are driven and want to learn new things,” Gibson said. “I tell them they shouldn’t be happy in our program unless they’re learning new things. When I’m recruiting I ask them if they want to be better, because we’re going to push you. We want them to be better,” she continued. “I don't want kids to come here and do what they have always done.” During her 22-year coaching tenure at UW-L, Gibson has led the Eagles to 11 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association championships -- ’86, ’88, ’95, ’97, ’99, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05 and again in 2006. In addition, she has guided the Eagles to 15 WIAC titles (’88, ’90, ’94, ’95, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06 and 2007). Her success at UW-L and her support of collegiate gymnastics has been recognized by her peers around the league. She has been named conference Coach of the Year seven times. She won the award in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997 and again in 2005. Gibson received national honors in 1989, 2001 and 2005 when she was awarded the NCGA Coach of the Year award. She has also been recognized with the YMCA’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Sports, presented to her in 1989. Gibson has been active in the governance of gymnastics at the conference and national levels. Presently, she is the NCGA Division III West Region Vice-President. She received a bachelor’s degree in physical and health education from UW-L in 1978, and earned a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1981. She has compiled a career record of 607-158 in 25 seasons as a head coach, including a 575-154 mark in her 22 seasons at UW-L to go with the 11 national titles and 15 league championships. Program Coaches
|
Powered by Camp Registry