Campus Connection

Gymnastics coach announces retirement; Crawford named interim head coach

UW-La Crosse head gymnastics coach Barbara Gibson has announced her retirement effective Friday, Aug. 12. UWL Director of Athletics Kim Blum has named head assistant coach Kasey Crawford as the Eagles’ interim head coach for the 2016-17 season. “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,” said Gibson. “I have been so blessed to have the unconditional support and love of my husband Mark and our three children, Kelli, Kyle and Katherine, throughout my coaching career.  They have been amazing fans of UWL and especially UWL gymnastics. I’m looking forward to more leisure time with family, grandchildren, friends and volunteer opportunities.“ Completing her 31^st season (1986-2016) as head coach in 2015-16, Gibson led UWL to its second straight National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championship March 18 in Brockport, New York. The Eagles earned the team title with a school record score of 193.650. Gibson led UWL to all 17 of its NCGA titles in school history, including 12 in the last 16 seasons. The 17 national titles are the most in NCGA history. She has been named the NCGA Coach of the Year six times in her career (1989, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2015). Read more on the UWL Athletics website.