Announcement
Read the story of Gil Gibbs by selecting the drop down menu on the left.
Gilbert J. Gibbs, Jr., National Lacrosse Hall of Fame Candidate
Introduction:
Gil Gibbs was a man that never played the game of lacrosse, who took over a fledgling lacrosse program at Montclair (NJ) High School and went 4-7 against what was regarded as a weak New Jersey lacrosse schedule. Eleven years later, in 1977, he was honored by the USILA with its Man of the Year Award for having established the first nationally recognized public high school lacrosse powerhouse, located outside of Maryland or Long Island. 37 years ago, he became the last high school coach to win this prestigious honor from the USILA. Tragically, after completing his 13th season, he died of cancer in 1978, at the age of 39.
• Biography
• Born and raised in Montclair, NJ. Died at age 39 in 1978
• Graduate of Montclair High School, 1957
• Graduate of Springfield (MA) College, 1961
Unique Distinctions:
• In 1977, Gibbs received the “Howdy Myers Man of the Year” award from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, becoming one of only three high school coaches to have ever received this prestigious honor since its inception in 1944.*He is the last high school coach to receive this honor from the USILA.
• Established the 1st nationally recognized public high school lacrosse powerhouse, located outside Maryland or Long Island.
Inducted
US Lacrosse – New Jersey Chapter, Hall of Fame, 1997(Charter Class)
New Jersey Scholastic Coaches, Hall of Fame, 2010
NJSIAA/Bollinger, Hall of Fame, 2014
Springfield College Hall of Fame, 2015
From 1970-75, thirteen Montclair players received scholarships/financial aid to play at Division 1 powers, Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Navy and Rutgers. Gibbs players competed in 42 NCAA Division 1 Final Four games with six winning NCAA Championships.
More of his former players (five) were selected to try out for the 1978 US National Team than any other high school in the United States -- astounding for a public high school.
In all, Gibbs’ former players were named to collegiate All American teams 17 times, 16 between 1976 and 1979 (4 years). Gibbs had five Division 1 All Americans in 1979.
Under Gibbs, Montclair won 11 state championships – 6 New Jersey Coaches, (71, 72, 75, 76, 77 & 78) – 4 NJSIAA, (74, 75, 77 & 78) and was co-champions, in 1969.
Gibbs’ overall record was 177-35, which included a start up period. His record in his last 8 years was 132-7.
Introduction:
Gil Gibbs was a man that never played the game of lacrosse, who took over a fledgling lacrosse program at Montclair (NJ) High School and went 4-7 against what was regarded as a weak New Jersey lacrosse schedule. Eleven years later, in 1977, he was honored by the USILA with its Man of the Year Award for having established the first nationally recognized public high school lacrosse powerhouse, located outside of Maryland or Long Island. 37 years ago, he became the last high school coach to win this prestigious honor from the USILA. Tragically, after completing his 13th season, he died of cancer in 1978, at the age of 39.
• Biography
• Born and raised in Montclair, NJ. Died at age 39 in 1978
• Graduate of Montclair High School, 1957
• Graduate of Springfield (MA) College, 1961
Unique Distinctions:
• In 1977, Gibbs received the “Howdy Myers Man of the Year” award from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, becoming one of only three high school coaches to have ever received this prestigious honor since its inception in 1944.*He is the last high school coach to receive this honor from the USILA.
• Established the 1st nationally recognized public high school lacrosse powerhouse, located outside Maryland or Long Island.
Inducted
US Lacrosse – New Jersey Chapter, Hall of Fame, 1997(Charter Class)
New Jersey Scholastic Coaches, Hall of Fame, 2010
NJSIAA/Bollinger, Hall of Fame, 2014
Springfield College Hall of Fame, 2015
From 1970-75, thirteen Montclair players received scholarships/financial aid to play at Division 1 powers, Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Navy and Rutgers. Gibbs players competed in 42 NCAA Division 1 Final Four games with six winning NCAA Championships.
More of his former players (five) were selected to try out for the 1978 US National Team than any other high school in the United States -- astounding for a public high school.
In all, Gibbs’ former players were named to collegiate All American teams 17 times, 16 between 1976 and 1979 (4 years). Gibbs had five Division 1 All Americans in 1979.
Under Gibbs, Montclair won 11 state championships – 6 New Jersey Coaches, (71, 72, 75, 76, 77 & 78) – 4 NJSIAA, (74, 75, 77 & 78) and was co-champions, in 1969.
Gibbs’ overall record was 177-35, which included a start up period. His record in his last 8 years was 132-7.
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