Full-Court Press: New Head of Athletics Focused on ‘Purpose, People and Pride’
This summer, Widener welcomed Crystal Gibson as executive director of athletics, responsible for the organization, administration and coordination of all aspects of the university’s 23 intercollegiate athletic programs and their facilities.
A Baltimore, Maryland native and former collegiate basketball player and high jumper, Gibson is deeply committed to student athletes and their development on and off the playing field. She was recently named first vice president of the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators, which is comprised of athletics administrators from more than 350 institutions and conferences competing at the NCAA Division III level.
Gibson joins the Pride from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I'm a lifelong Division III student-athlete, coach, and administrator, and I'm incredibly grateful to now serve as the executive director of athletics at Widener University. Throughout my career, I've believed that athletics is about so much more than wins and losses—it's about developing leaders, building relationships, and creating opportunities for students to thrive. I enjoy bringing people together around a common purpose, and I'm excited to be part of the Widener family.
What drew you to Widener?
What drew me to Widener was the people and the culture. From my first conversations, it was clear that this is a community that genuinely cares about its students and believes in the transformative power of athletics. Widener has a proud history, outstanding coaches and staff, and tremendous potential. I saw an opportunity to join a university that values excellence, service, and belonging—all things that align closely with my own leadership philosophy.
What are your goals and vision for Widener Athletics?
My vision is centered on three words: purpose, people and pride.
• Purpose means ensuring every decision we make supports our student-athletes and advances the university's mission.
• People means investing in our students, coaches, staff, alumni and campus partners because relationships are what make great programs.
• Pride means creating an athletic department that our campus and community are excited to support—one known for competitive excellence, academic success, leadership and service.
Ultimately, I want every student-athlete to leave Widener better prepared for life because of their experience here.
At Widener, we are committed to our student-athletes’ mental health and well-being. How will you continue to support or even expand these efforts?
Supporting mental health starts with creating an environment where students know it's OK to ask for help. We'll continue working closely with our campus partners while empowering coaches to recognize challenges and foster healthy team cultures. I also want to expand opportunities for education around stress management, resilience and overall wellness. Success isn't just measured on the scoreboard—it's measured by whether our student athletes feel supported as people.
You were a high jumper and basketball player in college. Do you still hit the track and court?
I don't know if anyone wants to see me trying to clear a high jump bar anymore and honestly I hung up the running shoes a long time ago. But I do still enjoy staying active. You'll find me shooting hoops when I can, as I have been playing in a “Geri-active” women’s basketball league for the past few years. I still have that competitive spirit—it just looks a little different these days.
We love our Philly sports teams, who play so close to our campus. Who do you root for? (This is a judgment-free zone!)
I've always appreciated passionate sports communities, and it's hard not to get excited about Philadelphia fans (even with LeBron coming to town). Now that I'm part of the Widener community, I'm looking forward to embracing Philly sports even more, but let’s be honest…I’m a Baltimore girl born and raised so it’s purple and orange for me.
What do you like to do in your free time?
My favorite time is spending with family and friends. I love traveling when I can and attending sporting events. I also enjoy reading and finding new ideas that help me grow personally and professionally.
