This year's Washington & Lee Hall of Fame Class includes a dear friend of the program, and member of the wrestling Wall of Fame, Gilbert "Gibby" McSpadden. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Gibby a few times over the past few weeks as he prepares for his induction, and the man is impressive, to say the least. A member of the Class of 1956, Gibby was an outstanding wrestler and athlete. Here is a little more about him:
Gibby McSpadden earned four letters as a member of the wrestling team and also garnered one letter with the track & field squad as a senior.
McSpadden made an immediate impact with the Generals’ wrestling program, having been named the team’s outstanding freshman wrestler following the 1953 campaign. That season, he finished second in the 157-pound weight class at the Southern Conference Championship.
McSpadden made an immediate impact with the Generals’ wrestling program, having been named the team’s outstanding freshman wrestler following the 1953 campaign. That season, he finished second in the 157-pound weight class at the Southern Conference Championship.
As a sophomore in 1954, McSpadden was tabbed the Southern Conference’s outstanding wrestler after going undefeated and winning the 157-pound title at the Southern Conference Championship. His junior season resulted in another undefeated season and his second Southern Conference title, this time at 167 pounds. Finally, as a senior in 1956, McSpadden served as the team captain and was named the team’s most outstanding wrestler following a first-place finish at 177 pounds at the Southern Conference Championship event.
McSpadden finished his collegiate wrestling career with a 40-3 overall record, and received the 1955-56 Washington and Lee Outstanding Athlete Award. Keep in mind that in those days, W&L was a Division 1 program, and the Southern Conference was a blend of what is currently the ACC and the SoCon, including some of the Service Academies. Quite an impressive career.
Currently, Gibby resides in Mississippi, and not onlyis he still involved with wrestling, he still actually wrestles! "I can go pretty good for about 6 minutes, but I prefer to try to pin everyone before that so I don't get worn out," he said to me as my jaw dropped. "I've got two steel knees, so as long as they don't get to them, I usually do fine." Outstanding. McSpadden is currently a volunteer coach at the Mississippi School for the Blind, where he works with visually impaired young men. On that subject, we spoke about the effect that wrestling has on these young men, as well as everyone that has wrestled. "The confidence wrestling builds in young men is truly amazing, and has helped so many turn their lives around or straighten up," said Gibby. For others, it has been something that makes tough times seem ordinary, and being able to perform under difficult circumstances a regular habit.
This was a great conversation that we had, and his view of things was motivating. I look forward to many more conversations and am extremely happy for him to receive an honor that is long overdue.
McSpadden will be inducted into the W&L Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009.
