HIGH POINT, N.C. — Dr. Woody Gibson was honored with the most prestigious award conferred by the Governor of North Carolina, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, for his significant contributions, exemplary service and accomplishments during his 38-year career at High Point University.

The former athletic director, sports information director, coach, and professor was bestowed in front of family and friends as Mrs. Chris Greene represented the North Carolina Governor's Office with the presentation of the state's highest civilian honor on Monday afternoon in the President's Suite of the Witcher Athletic Center on High Point University's campus.

"This is certainly the highest honor I have ever received," Gibson said. "I am thankful for the opportunity to work at High Point University for 38 years and especially appreciate all of the friends I have met in my various roles. My family and friends are the most wonderful supporters that I have been blessed with."

Gibson's tenure at High Point University, formerly known as High Point College until 1991, spanned from 1974-2012 as a teacher, administrator and coach. He was at the forefront of the athletic department's transition from NAIA to Division II in 1993 before the move to Division I began in 1997.

By 1999, the Panthers were members of the Big South Conference and it was Gibson who had a front seat to it all as he took the reins as the HPU Athletic Director from 1998-2008. Gibson has been named to four Hall of Fames — NAIA Hall of Fame (2011), Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame (2012), the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame (2018) and the HPU Athletics Hall of Fame (2018).

"Woody's legacy and his footprint will be everlasting on this university," HPU Athletic Director and Vice President Dan Hauser said. "I've had the privilege of being here for 12 years and one of the first things I learned when I got here is what a great friend I had the moment I walked on this campus at High Point University in Woody Gibson. I want to congratulate Woody and thank him on behalf of the entire athletic department for your legacy and what you built here at HPU. Thank you, Woody!"

During his 20-year head coaching career, he led the Men's Soccer program to a record of 211-138-27, won the Carolinas Conference seven times, qualified for the NAIA National Tournament during 14 seasons all while his teams were nationally ranked nine times in the NAIA top 20 polls with four years in the top 10. He was voted the Carolinas Conference Coach of the Year six times, NAIA District 26 Coach of the Year four times, NAIA Area 7 Coach of the Year in 1987 and was runner up for the NAIA National Coach of the Year during that same season.

Gibson started the women's soccer program in 1992 and had an overall record of 25-26-3 in three seasons after an initial record of 2-14-1. As the men's golf coach from 1974-92, he led the Panthers to nine top-3 finishes at the Carolinas Conference and NAIA District 26 golf tournaments. The Panthers qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in 1991, placing 15^th in the nation, and he was named the Carolinas Conference Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1991.

Gibson served on several NCAA committees, including the chair of the Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct committee from 2003-05. He also served as the HPU Sports Information Director from 1975-92 and while a member of the HPU faculty from 1980-2012, he created and implemented the sports management undergraduate major in 1995 and aided the creation of the sports studies graduate degree in 2000.

He earned both his Masters and Ed.D. degrees, taught as an Instructor and Assistant Professor in Exercise Science, and Associate Professor in the Phillips School of Business where he initiated and taught in the Sport Management program. He also taught in the School of Graduate Studies for two years prior to being appointed Director of Athletics and continued for five years thereafter, a total of over 35 years in the classroom.

In addition to his coaching and academic roles, Gibson has consistently served in nonprofit leadership positions during his entire career, including 15 months as Chair of the Board at Oak Ridge Military Academy, nine years as chair of the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame, and continues his support for veterans through the Heroes Center in High Point, N.C. As a young man, he served his country in the US Army on active duty in the Republic of Vietnam.