Gibson completes term on NCAA Committee

Nathan Gibson, Executive Director of Athletics, recently completed his term on the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II Championships Committee, where he served as both member and, for the last year, Committee Chair.

During Gibson’s four-year tenure, he fulfilled a variety of duties including representing the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and South Central Region of the NCAA, advocating for student athletes and membership positions, leading committee meetings, preparing materials and actions with NCAA staff, working closely with colleagues across the country to evaluate proposals and more.

“To me, the NCAA Championships Committee is a place where you can have direct impact on student athletes as the committee focuses on the culminating moments for an athletics career and those special championship experiences,” said Gibson. “It’s also a committee that works closely with NCAA leadership, and I felt that would be of great benefit to UCCS and the RMAC. Acting as chair was a wonderful experience and something that helped me grow as a leader, providing new perspectives and vision for college athletics.”

Gibson emphasized the support he had from fellow UCCS staff while serving in this role, as it meant dividing his time and attention between his department and the committee.

“I am grateful for their willingness to support me in serving in this role, particularly my time as chair, as we did not miss a beat!” Gibson said. “I was also grateful for the opportunity to advocate for things that helped Division II, the RMAC and UCCS and their support was incredible. This speaks to the incredible work ethic, attitude, commitment and love for UCCS Athletics that our UCCS staff has.”

His time on the committee also gave Gibson the opportunity to connect with others passionate about athletics and work with them to make crucial decisions about athlete advocacy and the future direction of Division II athletics.

“Without a doubt, the friendships with colleagues across the country and at the NCAA was the best part of serving on the committee,” Gibson said. “I feel like I have a network of like-minded people who care deeply about college athletics and the student athlete experience. I would also like to express my gratitude to the NCAA staff, specifically Karen Kirsh, the Director of NCAA Division II Championships. Karen was amazing to work with and provided great leadership and insight to the committee, as well as coordinating all of the logistics to get a group of this magnitude together and on the same page. It was a pleasure to work with her and NCAA staff.”

“Serving on the committee, specifically during a time of great change and re-visioning within the NCAA was incredibly meaningful,” he added. “After the pandemic, the NCAA and Division II revisioned their constitution, which brought about great opportunities to evaluate and be in the middle of important decisions for the future of college athletics. Bring a part of that was a great experience, although very challenging, but having been in the NCAA Division II for over 20 years as an athlete and administrator, it provided me opportunities to advocate for what I felt best for the division moving forward.”

As he continues to support Division II athletics and champion its athletes, Gibson urges others to do so in any way possible.

“I strongly encourage supporting NCAA Division II athletics, specifically UCCS Mountain Lion athletics,” he said. “D2 is such an incredible place to showcase college athletics done the right way. Being on the Championships Committee has help me understand this on a national level, and D2 doesn’t always get the love or ‘status’ that other divisions get. D2 has such amazing student athletes, coaches and staff that compete in their sport at an incredibly high level, but are also amazing students, leaders and people. Find ways to support D2 student athletes and programs – you won’t regret it.”