It's not every day that a former cheerleader returns to lead the very squad she once rallied for. For Coach Theresa Gibson, this moment represents a lifelong passion. Coach Gibson is a proud alumna of Morgan State University, where she leads the cheerleading team that profoundly influenced her formative years. Her cheerleading journey began in sixth grade in Pennsylvania, and though Morgan State wasn't her initial college choice, a visit to the campus ignited her passion for the "National Treasure," inspiring her to don the iconic orange and blue uniform.

She was inducted into the Morgan State Hall of Fame in 2015 she describes it as an immense  moment of pride and recognition, honoring her significant contributions to the university's athletic legacy. Celebrated for her outstanding achievements and leadership, she became a role model for future generations of student-athletes. The ceremony not only highlighted her personal accomplishments but also emphasized the impact she made on the Morgan State community, inspiring others to strive for excellence both on and off the field.

As an undergraduate, she majored in speech communication and minored in English, later pursuing a graduate degree in recreation and physical education administration. Reflecting on her time as a Morgan State cheerleader, Gibson described it as "the best time of my life." For her, it was more than just a team—it was a sisterhood. "It was the first time I got to cheer with a group of Black girls, and it felt different. Coming from a predominantly white school, where I had a good experience, it was special to be part of the majority instead of the minority." She fondly recalled being a part of the cheerleading organization known as the MSU  "Yo-Yos" as a source of pride, unity, and lifetime friendships.

Since joining the program in 1978, Gibson has witnessed its remarkable evolution, and she is dedicated to mentoring a new generation of cheerleaders. She takes immense pride in shaping their lives, both on and off the field, emphasizing the importance of community and support. One of her greatest achievements is seeing her daughter, Brooke Gibson, follow in her footsteps as a "Cheer Bear," embodying the same spirit and dedication as well as majoring in the same school her mom once did.

Gibson's coaching career is highlighted by six consecutive MEAC championships and unforgettable moments, such as leading the 1999 squad, the first to compete at NCA nationals after winning the HBCU nationals. She also cherishes memories of the legendary 2015 team, which secured a ring for every finger after an impressive four-year winning streak, showcasing their talent and determination.

Beyond her coaching accomplishments, Gibson has made significant contributions to the cheerleading community. Alongside her colleague Kim Ross-Watkins , she helped launch the MEAC cheerleading competitions and has consistently advocated for cheerleading to be recognized as a legitimate sport, elevating its status within the athletic landscape.

Outside of coaching, Gibson enjoys spending time at the Havre De Grace waterfront , dining out, and watching her Philadelphia sports teams in action.  She unwinds by playing computer games and partaking in her guilty pleasure of watching Netflix and reality television shows. Her multifaceted life reflects her dedication to both her professional and personal passions, establishing her as a respected figure in the cheerleading community. Additionally, she is a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is actively involved in the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter.

College Experience

How was your experience as an undergraduate student at Morgan State?
"Being at Morgan State was a unique experience during my error.  We handpicked our college family, and the sense of pride, support and community lives throughout our lives as Alumni.  My Morgan Family has always been a source of love and encouragement since stepping foot on this campus."  

Coaching and Team Development

How does this year's team differ from previous teams?
"The girls now have stronger competitive expectations put on them.  You'll definitely see more difficult team tumbling.  The majority come from all-star gyms and display a lot of athleticism, but they are new to our style of sideline cheering when they come to us.  The earlier teams had a stronger performance aspect to their cheering.  Their showmanship, confidence, and crowd involvement dominated their performances due to their  competitive high school cheer programs."

What is your favorite cheer moment, both as a cheerleader and as a coach?
"As a cheerleader, my favorite moment was being one of just three rookies selected to cheer at Yankee Stadium at the Morgan vs. Grambling game.  I'd only been to New York once, but I had never been to Yankee Stadium.  It was an honor that I will never forget."

"As a coach, my favorite experiences were watching the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 team win MEAC rings for each finger and placing 2nd in the NCA Division I Advanced All-Girl College Nationals competition in 2015."  

What is the current goal for the team in terms of performance and confidence?
"We are in the building stage right now.  This team is very young, with the majority of the members being freshman and sophomores. Out of 33, only 8 are 3rd and 4thn year members.  Because of this, we are in the "getting to know you" phase. The goal is to learn  to value each other's talents, capabilities, and contributions to be the best cheer team possible. Once we grasp that concept, confidence will be evident in the team's performance." 

Preparation for Competitions

How do you prepare the girls for NCA nationals?
"Coach Marquis 'Coach Quis' Johnson gets all the credit. 'Coach Quis' gets the girls ready for nationals. He's incredibly knowledgeable and trained in this style himself."
 

Leadership and Future Vision

What advice do you have to aspiring coaches?
"It's not always easy.  But find a program that will offer you financial and administrative support and allow you to be your creative self. You should have the freedom to  feel comfortable molding a program to fit your strengths, capabilities, and vision. Bumps in the road will be there. Just steamroll your way to success collecting believers along the way."

How do you balance maintaining HBCU traditions with the innovations needed to stay competitive in modern cheerleading?
"With the influx of HBCU teams adding competitive cheer to their programs, it's getting much easier for all of us to offer our own styles of cheer while being seen as competitive in the cheer world. Although we are not known as a stomp and shake team like a large portion of HBCU cheer teams, we value doing our traditional style cheers with a little stomp and shake flavor sprinkled here and there."

 

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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.