Fred C. McCall, PhD

Widener University is pleased to announce Crystal Gibson has been named the new executive director of athletics, beginning July 1. Gibson currently serves as director of athletics and recreation at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a position she has held since 2020.  

Gibson will be responsible for the organization, administration and coordination of all aspects of Widener’s 23 intercollegiate athletic programs and their facilities, which complement the educational experience of the university. She will also oversee all interactive student-athlete educational and development programs at Widener, which is an NCAA Division III member of the Middle Atlantic Conference.

“I am honored and excited to join the Widener Pride and build upon the university’s strong tradition of athletic and academic excellence,” Gibson said. “I look forward to working alongside our student-athletes, coaches, and campus community to foster competitive success, holistic development and contribute to the university’s deep, enduring culture of belonging.”

Gibson will report to Vice President of Student Engagement and Transformation Fred McCall, who also serves as Widener’s dean of students. 

“Crystal brings a remarkable record of leadership, strategy,  and an intense commitment to student-athlete development that aligns with Widener’s values of respect, integrity and excellence,” he said. “We are excited for the energy, vision and inclusive leadership she will bring as she collaborates to shape the future of Pride athletics and strengthens our community commitment to belonging.”

Gibson, a Randallstown, Maryland native, brings a proven track record of leadership and competitive success to her new role at Widener.

At St. Mary’s College of Maryland, she has guided the strategic vision and day-to-day leadership of the athletics and recreation program, aligning it with institutional priorities while elevating the overall student-athlete experience. Under her leadership, the school quickly established itself as a powerhouse in the United East Conference, capturing three consecutive Presidents’ Cups in 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024-25.

Gibson has overseen a period of exceptional competitive achievement for the Seahawks, highlighted by a landmark 2025-26 season in which the department won 13 conference championships across multiple leagues.  It was the second straight year all eligible programs competed in post-season championships, underscoring the breadth of success across the department. Her leadership during St. Mary’s transition into the United East Conference helped position the institution for sustained excellence and national visibility.

A nationally recognized leader in collegiate athletics administration, Gibson has held numerous influential roles within the NCAA and related organizations. She served on the NCAA Board of Governors Committee to Promote Cultural Diversity and Equity from 2021 to 2024, contributing to key policy discussions and advocating for student-athlete well-being and inclusive excellence. She currently serves on the NCAA Division III Management Council and related committees, and she is on the leadership track of the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators, where she is slated to become president in 2027–28.

Prior to her tenure at St. Mary’s, Gibson held leadership roles at Susquehanna University, including interim director of athletics, and spent six years at St. Mary’s earlier in her career as head women’s basketball coach and senior woman administrator. She began her career in coaching and sports information at Arcadia University, with additional coaching stops at Frostburg State and Lebanon Valley College. 

Gibson graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 2005 with a bachelor’s in biology and earned her Master of Business Administration from the college in 2019. She is a member of Lebanon Valley's Athletic Hall of Fame as an All-American high jumper and four-year starter on the Dutchmen women’s basketball team.

Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-announces-new-executive-director-athletics

Widener University has named Fred C. McCall as its first vice president of student engagement and transformation. McCall, who will also serve as dean of students, will begin his new duties July 1, and comes to Widener from the University of Illinois, Chicago, where he has served as executive associate vice chancellor and dean of students.

“I am very excited to welcome Dr. McCall to Widener University,” said President Stacey Robertson. “He is a strategic collaborator and a student-centered educator with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in higher education. I look forward to the impact his leadership will have on Widener students’ success.” 

During his five-year career at the University of Illinois, Chicago, McCall was focused on student engagement, advocacy and support, and professional development. He led a variety of areas including the Center for Student Involvement, Commuter and Off Campus Life, Fraternity and Sorority life, Career Services, New Student and Family Programs, and Community Standards. He previously served as assistant dean and director of the Office of Student Engagement at California State University, San Bernardino, and held leadership roles at the University of California-Berkeley, Purdue University, the University of South Florida and Tusculum College.

“I am thrilled to join the Widener community and partner with students, faculty, and staff to continue the transformative work of belonging, engagement, and student success,” McCall said. “I am looking forward to forging deep connections with the Widener and Chester communities. The university has a long tradition of education and service, and I can’t wait to positively contribute to this important legacy.”

During his tenure at University of Chicago, McCall co-chaired several committees, such as the chancellor’s committee on advancing racial equity that provided key strategic recommendations to the institution. He also led several successful initiatives to impact student engagement and campus culture, including bias reporting tools and a variety of collaborative efforts with the university’s Office of Diversity and Office of Access and Equity.

McCall will lead Student Engagement and Transformation at Widener, a new unit that includes the offices of Student Engagement, Student Living, Athletics and Pride Recreation, Well-being and Belonging, and Student and Campus Services. The unit is designed to spark innovation and enhance the university’s holistic approach to student engagement. In his role, McCall will bring new student-focused leadership to the President’s Leadership Team and reinforce Widener’s student-centered culture of belonging by championing above-and-beyond responsiveness, care, and creativity.

McCall received his Ph.D. in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University, Bloomington. He received his master’s in college student personnel administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and his bachelor of arts in psychology from Bowling Green State University in Ohio.