FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jack Gibbons Coached Diving at Le Moyne for 27 Years.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Northeast-10 Conference and Le Moyne College community are mourning the unexpected passing of men's and women's diving coach John "Jack" Gibbons on October 2.
"Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with Jack's family, friends and everyone who is involved with the swimming and diving program," said Interim Athletic Director Tim Fenton. "Jack's dedication, commitment, loyalty and service to our men's and women's swimming and diving student-athletes will be irreplaceable. Through his mentoring and development of our student-athletes, Jack has left an indelible mark."
"Jack was a passionate advocate for diving," said 32nd-year head men's and women's swimming and diving coach Joe Hannah. "An honorable and fair competitor, Jack was a warm and thoughtful human being and a great friend."
The College's diving coach since October 1993, Gibbons was named the Northeast-10 Conference Men's Diving Coach of the Year by his peers three times. He coached Josh Byrne '16 to NE10 Men's Diver of the Year honors each of his four years, six NE10 Championships, two NE10 silver medals and All-America honors at the NCAA Championships in the one and three-meter diving events. Additionally, he led Elizabeth Fesko '00 to the NCAA Championships in 1997, making her the first Le Moyne student-athlete to qualify for nationals in a diving event. In 1999, Shannon Molinere earned All-America accolades at the NCAA Championships in the one-meter diving event to become the first Le Moyne diver to collect all-America honors.
Gibbons took tremendous pride and was known for developing individuals with little or no previous diving experience and molding them into conference championship contenders.
Relatives and friends may call Friday, October 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 10 at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, 5600 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Jack will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners.
-Release provided by Le Moyne athletic communications-
ABOUT THE NE10
Beginning its 40th anniversary season, the NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
