A three-sport team captain, William R. Gibbons Sr. '57 is part of Clark's athletic history as both a player and coach. He was a two-year member of the baseball and tennis teams, serving as a co-captain of both squads his senior year. Gibbons played basketball all four years and captained the 1956-57 team.
At the close of his athletic career, he received the Clark's 1957 Fred Hebert Trophy which is presented to the senior male athlete who has made a significant contribution to the intercollegiate athletic program and whose dedication and performance have enriched the tradition of Clark Athletics.
Following graduation from Clark, Gibbons was a popular teacher in the Worcester Public School System for 34 years. A lifelong Worcester resident, athletics remained an important part of Gibbons' life as he had several coaching and administrative positions (some of which overlapped each other) in the city. He coached men's basketball at Becker College from 1961-1969, and he was Becker's director of athletics from 1966-1969.
Gibbons returned to Clark in 1967 for a two-year stint as men's tennis coach (18-8 record). He then oversaw the boys' varsity basketball programs at Worcester's Doherty and North high schools (1970-1988). He also coached Doherty's boys' tennis team (1975-1980) before overseeing the girls' varsity tennis program (1981-1990).
A well-respected coach, Gibbons holds membership in the Massachusetts Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame, the Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Becker College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Although he has retired from teaching and coaching, he works as a scoreboard operator for the Clark and Holy Cross basketball programs, and he is a shot clock operator for basketball games at the DCU Center.
PRESENTER:
Robert Jordan '47 (longtime friend)
