A two-sport athlete who achieved as much success on the track as she did on the hardwood, Crystal Gibson ’05 earned outdoor track & field All-America honors thanks to her fifth-place finish in the high jump as a first-year in 2002. Gibson transitioned to sprinting with ease, running the program’s third-fastest 200m time and the seventh-fastest 100m and 400m times, respectively. Her efforts on the court helped lead LVC Women’s Basketball to four consecutive ECAC Tournament appearances and an ECAC championship in 2003. 

The dynamic point guard was a four-year starter and her 3,525 minutes played is a school record. She ranks second all-time in program history with 528 assists and she netted 773 points and grabbed 479 rebounds during her stellar career. Upon her graduation, Gibson continued to make her mark as a Lebanon Valley assistant track & field and women’s basketball coach. She is currently the athletic director at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

What made you decide to attend LVC?

Going through the college search process, there were two things I knew I wanted from the next phase of my educational journey – to study biology and to be a student-athlete. Throughout the recruitment process, many of the institutions I visited were unwilling to allow their athletes to study biology and compete due to the demanding class and lab schedule. However, the coaches at LVC made it clear right away that wouldn’t be an issue. If I wanted to and was able to handle the demanding course load, along with the practice and travel schedule, I could. That immediately put LVC at the top of my list. Additionally, the coaches introduced me to the various offices around campus and were very active in getting to know me and my family. Ultimately, it was the family atmosphere that sealed my decision to attend LVC.

What was behind the decision to play both sports in college?

Entering college, I thought I would continue with just playing basketball and focusing on my academics. However, within the first couple of weeks of being on campus, I was contacted by the track and field coach to come out and meet members of the team during a community service event. After meeting the team and officially meeting the coaches, I thought it might be possible to handle both sports. I entered the track and field season with little rest following a physically demanding first year of basketball, however, my teammates were extremely supportive and helped me through. At the end of the day, once I start something, I have to finish it, and having great people around me made those decisions easier. Track and field also allowed me to stay in great shape year-round, travel and compete with a different set of amazing people, and give me a new set of championship aspirations. 

What’s your favorite memory from track and field? How about from women’s basketball?

My favorite track memory would have to be the day I automatically qualified for the NCAA Track and Field Championships during my freshman year. It was the school’s very first Dutchmen Day, where we found out classes were canceled for a day of fun and games around campus. It also happened to be around 90 degrees that day! I remember taking part in all the activities throughout campus with teammates from basketball and track, up until it was time for me to go to the home meet. What I forgot throughout the day was – 1. to rest and 2. to hydrate! I entered the meet a little tired but excited that we would have plenty of fans at our meet because there weren’t any classes going on simultaneously. I remember heading into the qualifying jump feeling great, and when I cleared it, being so excited and having teammates and friends to celebrate with. My family, which never missed a game or meet, was late because of the early start, but everyone filled them in before I even saw them.

My favorite basketball memory also happened during my freshman year – hitting the game-winning shot on the final day of the regular season at Messiah to secure the regular-season championship. All my teammates will tell you I was not the person drawn up to take the last shot, but I found myself with the ball in my hands at the end, and it went in! My job as a point guard was to put people in a position to be successful and play out what our coaches drew up. We did that this time; however, Messiah was ready for it and the ball got kicked up out to me… and the rest is history as they say. That capped a historic winning streak for the team.

What does it mean to you to be a part of the LVC family?

Being a part of the LVC family means everything to me. I had so many fantastic mentors over my time as a student-athlete in the classroom and through athletics. I have been able to hold on to many of those same mentors following graduation and through my professional journey. I know they always have my best interest in mind. Working in higher education and collegiate athletics, the experiences I draw on from my time at LVC are immeasurable and have guided me through different situations and conversations. Whenever I step back onto campus, it feels special. I feel like I’m home and I know my family feels the same way. LVC welcomed me into its family as well as my entire family and as an out-of-state minority on-campus resident, this was very important to me. 

How did competing as a student-athlete at LVC prepare you for life after college?

As a two-sport student-athlete, I quickly learned the value of time management and teamwork. Both concepts have been extremely instrumental throughout my professional journey from coaching to administration. As a coach throughout the recruitment process, I was able to connect with my recruits through my experiences, knowing it was possible to be a student-athlete while taking on a challenging academic load. I knew that hard work, dedication, and leaning on others would propel you through. Now, as an administrator, I still draw on my learned knowledge. I must get to know each of our coaches and staff members and find out what makes them tick, the same way I needed to get to know my teammates. My coaches and college administrators saw me as a leader way before I did, and encouraged me to lean into those roles. I now do the same thing for athletes and staff members around me.

What do you remember about your fifth-place finish in the high jump as a first-year in 2002?

I remember it being COLD!! Nationals that year were held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was a perfect 70-degree sunny day throughout, however, the high jump competition didn’t take place until the evening. By the time our event started, the temperature had dropped about 45 degrees and to say we were unprepared is an understatement. My feet were ice blocks and mentally, I was struggling to block out the cold and just compete. Luckily, I had some fantastic competitors around me, many of whom I had competed against just the week before at ECAC Championships. They encouraged me to just jump knowing that I could easily clear the height. I cleared my final height on my final jump in disbelief. My coach then informed me that I was an All-American with that clearance, something I never could have envisioned. The next day accepting the award, it was another beautiful sunny day!

What is one piece of advice you’d give to a current LVC student-athlete?

Persevere. There are going to be times when it is easy, but there are going to be many times when it seems impossible. You are stronger than you think, and the adversity you are facing now will only help you once you leave college and head into your professional workplace. Utilize your network of peers, coaches, professors, and administrators to help you along the way. No one gets to the other side without a little help along the way. It’s okay to stop and ask for help!