To think one of the most impressive streaks in John Carroll University basketball history came down to a coin flip.
Senior Jessica Gibbons has played in all 98 games of her JCU career. However, Gibbons was torn in her choice of colleges. So torn that her decision came down to a coin flip.
When choosing schools Gibbons had narrowed her chocies down to the Collge of Wooster and JCU.
However, she liked both schools so much that her mom advised her to filp a coin for the final decision.
“It came up heads which was Wooster,” Gibbons said, “but I had a gut feeling and went with JCU.”
After going against the coin flip that was supposed to decide where Gibbons would go to college Gibbons’ uphill battle to play basketball for JCU was not quite finished.
To add more pressure to her decision, Gibbons was not guaranteed a spot on the team when she chose JCU.
“My parents and I sat down with coach and she said flat out that I might not make the team,” Gibbons added.
When Gibbons was a freshman the team was still making cuts. Nine freshmen girls tried out for the team in 2003 but only four made the squad.
“I was so worried that if I chose JCU I might not make the team,” Gibbons said.
Gibbons worked hard before arriving at JCU that she was one of four freshmen awarded a spot on the team.
“When coach handed me my practice jersey I was so relieved,” Gibbons added.
On November 21, 2003 JCU played Texas Lutheran at the University of Rochester’s Chuck Resler Tournament. Among the starting five, wearing number 14 was Gibbons.
Twenty nine seconds into her first game Gibbons intercepted a pass and went in for a lay up to record her first two points of what would be a long and illustrious career.
“My heart was beating at a million miles an hour,” Gibbons said, “I remember every minute of the trip like it was yesterday.”
A ball hawk from the opening tip of her career, Gibbons’ has recorded 188 steals in her career.
In addition she has averaged 7.2 points per game, 241 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game, all while averaging 28.2 minutes per game.
This year Gibbons is averaging 11.2 points per game and she has recorded 68 assists, 68 rebounds, and 40 steals. Twice she has tied her career high for points wth 22 against Ohio Northern on Jan 13 and against Muskingum on Jan 24.
Aside from being a three year letter winner on the court, Gibbons has managed to balance a difficult off court schedule as well. Between her psychology major, religion minor and a role on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Gibbons has plenty on her plate.
Since her freshman year she has served as JCU’s SAAC representative. Her role as SAAC representative is to meet in Columbus with representatives from the other OAC schools to work on promoting different qualities in the OAC.
“One of our big projects is to promote sportsmanship throughout the conference,” Gibbons said.
On top of being one of two athletes from JCU to represent the school in Columbus, Gibbons also manages to carry a 3.34 GPA with a spot on the Dean’s List.
“Sometimes I feel that I take on too much,” Gibbons said, “however, I feel as if I do better with a little stress than none at all.”
Gibbons’ plan after her May graduation is to attend graduate school to study school psychology.
Ultimately she would like to find a job as a school psychologist. That would entail working for a school district with children who need extra help. This job position would keep the family oriented Gibbons in the perfect situation.
“I really want to have a family,” Gibbons commented, “a job in a school district would allow me to spend summers and holidays with my family without worrying about work.”
In her four years of basketball at JCU Gibbons has formed many strong bonds.
No bond that she has formed is stronger than the one with the two other seniors on the team. Gibbons and fellow seniors Allison Kern and Tracey Prosinski are the only remaining players from the class of 2007.
“Playing basketball in college is one of the best decisions I have ever made,” Gibbons said, “Allison and Tracey are two of my best friends and they are part of the reason I have loved playing basketball here.”
Although her playing days at JCU are coming to a close, Gibbons involvement with JCU basketball is not quite finished.
Gibbons is looking at JCU for their school psychology program, which would give her an opportunity to connect with the team as a GA for the next few seasons, perhaps to see the beginning of a new games played streak.
