Former Hiland coach Tom Gibson inducted into EDBC Hall of Fame
BERLIN — In accepting the plaque recognizing his induction into the East District Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, former Hiland baseball coach Tom Gibson credited the coaching staff around him, the players and their families, whose dedication and commitment helped make the Hawks one of the elite baseball programs in the state.
Gibson served as an assistant coach at Hiland in 2007 and took over as head coach in 2008, leading the Hawks to a state runner-up title in his first season.
From there, he continued to develop a program that was recognized statewide for its quality of play and commitment to doing the little things right. Hiland won nine Inter-Valley Conference championships, 10 sectional titles, five district titles and four state appearances, including the state championship in 2016.
"I accept this honor on behalf of all my coaches that were with me throughout my 10 years," Gibson said. "Everything we accomplished here, it wasn't just me. It was Mike Yoder, Clippy Yoder, Dave Mast, John Mast. The community regularly came through, supporting us and getting behind the things we asked. I do miss this community, but I don't miss this weather (late April snow flurries)."
Gibson said it was 80 degrees when he left Jamestown, NC, top return to Ohio for the ceremony.
The presentation ceremony was supposed to be held prior to the Hawks game against Garaway at Lehman Field last month but was moved inside to the multi-purpose building behind the left field fence that Gibson was instrumental in helping get built during his tenure.
"Not only did Tom Gibson leave an amazing legacy behind as a head coach, he also helped create the Hiland baseball complex that is recognized around the state of Ohio," said former assistant coach Dave Mast. "The state of the art, multi-purpose building allows not only the Hawks, but many other youngsters to come in and hone their skills.
"Under Tom's leadership, Lehman Field became something special," Mast added. "He orchestrated the building of the new press box ion 2012, the installation of the lights and the brick backstop. In 2016 he headed up the effort to erect the multi-purpose building that now stands as the cornerstone of the baseball complex."
Players bought in
Gibson said the players bought in to what he and his staff were selling, many of whom came to Hiland on a cool and wet April evening for the celebration. He noted that this award was for all who were there, not just for him.
Players came from as far as Findlay (Clyde Yoder) and Columbus (Mitch Massaro and Brian Yoder) to show their appreciation for their former coach.
"I wouldn't miss this. He was a special coach," Massaro said.
Clyde Yoder added he learned a lot from Gibson about far more than baseball, some things that he applies to his life now, like work ethic, making the most of opportunities and having fun.
"I knew how good our guys were and how good we could be, and how much tougher we needed to be in order to get where we wanted to be," Gibson said. "When we first came in, our players weren't mentally tough or physically tough, so we had to treat them tough. Some rebelled, some accepted it, and those who accepted it were champions. I think we should've won state five times total."
He added that of all his great memories as a coach at Hiland, the thing that he remembers most was losing the state championship game 1-0 in 2017.
"We lost that game on a run that scored in the first inning," Gibson said. "We could not get a run in to tie. That's the game I think about when I go to bed at night, when I wake up in the morning...we were that close to being 32-0 and back-to-back state champions.
"But I also remember how much fun it was," he continued. "Thank you for coming out."
His record as coach at Hiland
Gibson retired after the 2017 season, relocating to North Carolina to spend more time with his son and grandson.
Gibson's career record was 248-48 at Hiland, where he earned the Div. III state coach of the year in 2016 and 2017, seven-time IVC coach of the year, and Eastern District Baseball Coaches Association coach of the year honors in 2008 and 2017.
Aside from his work as Hiland coach, he helped guide the junior and senior league programs behind the scenes. The Hiland summer league program reached the pinnacle of success three times, qualifying for the Senior League World Series under the leadership of Mike Yoder. They were runners-up in 2015, with the championship game airing on ESPN.
Gibson also held hitting and pitching clinics at Hiland for any kids who were willing to work hard and learn to play the game the right way.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Former Hiland coach Tom Gibson inducted into EDBC Hall of Fame
