ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – St. Mary's College of Maryland bids a bittersweet farewell to Director of Athletics & Recreation
Crystal Gibson, who will leave the College to assume the Executive Director of Athletics role at Widener University.
Gibson has dedicated a combined 12 years of service to the St. Mary's College community, first as the head women's basketball coach and senior woman administrator (SWA) and then as the director of athletics & recreation.
"Serving as the director of athletics & recreation at St. Mary's College of Maryland for the past six years has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. I am deeply grateful for the student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, and campus community who made this journey so meaningful," Gibson stated.
Gibson has guided the strategic vision and day-to-day leadership of the SMCM athletics and recreation program since June 2020, 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 between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
"Together, we celebrated competitive success, academic achievement, resilience, and the true spirit of Division III athletics," Gibson added.
She has overseen a period of exceptional competitive achievement for the Seahawks, highlighted by a landmark 2025-26 season in which the department claimed 13 conference championships across multiple leagues. All eligible programs advanced to postseason competition in back-to-back seasons between 2024-25 and 2025-26, underscoring the breadth of success across the department. Her leadership during St. Mary's College's transition into the United East Conference helped position the institution for sustained excellence and national visibility.
The Seahawks' athletics support staff grew under Gibson as well with the addition of SMCM's first-ever strength and conditioning coach position.
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 is currently the vice chair of the NCAA Division III Management Council and serves on other related committees. Gibson is also on the leadership track of the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators, where she is slated to become president in 2027-28.
The Randallstown, Maryland, native served six years as the Seahawks head women's basketball coach from 2011 to 2017 and as the SWA from 2012 to 2017. She guided St. Mary's College to five consecutive playoff berths in the highly competitive Capital Athletic Conference (CAC), mentored seven All-CAC selections, including the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year, and served as the CAC Women's Basketball Chair between 2014 and 2017. As the SWA, Gibson initiated and chaired the department's first-ever Title IX review.
Gibson signed off with, "I leave this role incredibly proud of what we built together and excited for the future of Seahawks athletics."
