Longtime USA Swimming and YMCA official Val Gibson recently suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm and had successful surgery on Saturday, Nov. 19. She is currently in the neuro ICU.
According to the GoFundMe page organized by Keira Cruz, the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA head coach and competitive swimming director, Gibson faces a long road to recovery and could use the support of the swimming community as she works to return to the pool deck in the future.
Gibson, a native of Maidstone, England, emigrated to New Jersey in 1993 and now resides in Montville.
According to a story from the Daily Record in 2016, Gibson was first inspired to get involved at swim meets after her son, David, began competing with the Lakeland Hills YMCA team as an 8-and-under swimmer.
After starting out as a timer, she transitioned into officiating and has reffed several high-level competitions over the last 25 years.
As of 2016, she was one of four officials to be dual-certified by both USA Swimming and the YMCA. In December 2015, she was selected to be a stroke and turn judge at the 2016 Olympic Trials in Omaha.
She is currently listed as the Regional Official Coordinator for the MidAtlantic Region of YMCA Swimming (New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland), a role where she recruits parents to follow her path.
As of publishing, $13,495 has been raised toward a $25,000 goal thanks to 132 donors on the GoFundMe page.
Val is well respected and much loved. She’s a top tier official and friend— one who makes the people around her better. I, along with many others in the officiating community, was shocked and dismayed to hear the news. We are continuing to pray for her and hope that as information is released it will be good news. We love you Val.
Val has been an inspiration (and entertainment!) to me over the years. I certainly hope to see her back in action on the pool deck.