The story of how Valdosta State became a basketball dynasty, winning the Georgia Interscholastic Athletic Conference (GIAC) 11 times in 12 years between 1960-72.
The story of how Valdosta State became a basketball dynasty, winning the Georgia Interscholastic Athletic Conference (GIAC) 11 times in 12 years between 1960-72.
Fred Gibbons is a polio survivor from the Polio Epidemic of the 1930-1950's. Having contracted polio in the fall of 1953 at 5 years of age Fred was paralyzed below the waist. After extensive surgeries over 4 summers, he regained 60% of the function in his right leg and wore a full length brace on his left leg. Fred credits his Physical Therapists with teaching him life lessons over those 4-5 years like setting goals and how to get up off the ground after falling (by himself), he became the essence of resilience and determination. He never lost his love and passion for athletics becoming a manager for the football team in junior high school and a student trainer in high school at Southwest Miami High School. While Athletic Training opened doors to Valdosta State, it was Fred's infectious positive attitude, along with his resilience and 'never give in' spirit that Coach Jim Melvin wanted. A testament to his spirit and influence the Valdosta State players elected him co-captain his last season at VSC ('71), and he won the Rebel Spirit Award 3 times. Fred moved from Valdosta State to Pepperdine to serve as a graduate assistant helping former Valdosta State Coach Gary Colson rebuild the Pepperdine Athletic Program. At Pepperdine he entered the Clinical Psych graduate program. In addition, Fred spent time learning from Dodger Trainer Dr. Bill Buehler and served as an Assistant in the Southern Cal Professional Basketball Summer League. Fred married Leslie Hale in the spring of '74. Fred's passion for coaching, teaching, and counseling early adolescents led to a successful stint at Audubon Junior High (south central LA) where his teams became a powerhouse, that included winning a Men's Industrial League Championship. Leslie and Fred jumped head long into the Youth and Family Ministry in 1978 where they were able to utilize their skills and gifts to connect with young people and parents across the country. Fred was a volunteer coach wherever they lived and served, serving on the Artesia HS staff in 1978 that won a New Mexico State Championship in Football, assisting Odessa Permian High School basketball team that reached the Regional Finals in 1980, and served the Dunwoody Wildcats varsity football team from 1983-88 as a volunteer in charge of culture development. When Fred came aboard Dunwoody had suffered through a winless season, after a spring and summer with Fred the Wildcats stormed into the playoffs, eventually winning a State Championship by 1990. Business leaders (who were parents of teens in his youth group in Atlanta) saw the impact Fred had on a variety of cultures asked him to work with them to enhance their corporate cultures. At the same time Fred designed, implemented, and managed a Peer Counseling team (15-20 juniors and seniors) within Greater Atlanta Christian HS. The program was designed to proactively help peers struggling with any number of life issues, including suicidal thoughts. In 1990 Fred and Leslie moved to Webster, Florida to open a new chapter in their life. With 2 young sons in tow, they renovated the house Fred lived with his grandparents. Leslie, who had been a stay-at-home-mom during the boy's early years returned to the classroom and became Lake County Teacher of the Year. Fred returned to grad school but switched from Clinical Psych to HR Management and Organizational Development in order to enrich his insights and skills in Organizational and Leadership Development, and he opened an Executive Coaching practice that focused on family owned, private businesses. Shortly thereafter, The Villages offered Fred the opportunity to develop a Learning Culture within their company. Fred served The Villages primarily focusing on Leadership and Organizational Development, as well as managing Human Resources. Concurrent with his day job Fred developed a feeder program for Leesburg HS Basketball, which within 4 years was winning District Championships and competing for State
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