LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Gilbert Widner was nominated by his spouse, Laura Widner.

"Blood, sweat, and tears..." - a motto he goes by for everything he does.

Mr. Widner, also known as "Coach Gibby," is a LifeChanger in the community because he makes sure that his athletes experience all they can with the game of soccer. In the winters of 2016 and 2019, he took his soccer athletic program to Barcelona, Spain. In just under one year for both trips, athletes raised over $180,000 to travel and spend over eight days in Barcelona. He made sure they were able to visit famous tourist attractions and attend a Barcelona soccer game. Athletes immersed themselves in the sights, sounds, and smells of another country. The experience of learning about another culture and one whose history is immersed with the game of soccer was immeasurable for these athletes.  Many still speak of this experience to this day.

Coach Gibby definitely goes above and beyond, simply by coaching the varsity boys' soccer team. He makes an impact in the community by doing his very best to make sure that his athletes get connected with colleges/universities so that they can not only continue the game of soccer, but pursue their college/university degrees. Several of his players have gone on to play at the university level and graduate with a post-secondary degree. Many of his athletes come from underprivileged backgrounds, living in homes with little to no running water and limited resources.

Athletes like Jose Corrales attended Pine Manor College in Boston, played soccer for a few years, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Victor Noyola attended the University of Maine at Machias and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Community Studies. He is currently working on his Master’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior at the University of Tennessee. Victor is set to graduate in the spring of 2022. For Coach Gibby, the game of soccer can provide many opportunities for students to have a better future, which greatly impacts the future generations of their families. The ripple effect is endless.

Coach Gibby also helps the local soccer organization by participating in the coaches program in the state of Texas. He has been a part of the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Organization (TASCO) since his coaching career began in 1999. He has served as the Vice-President, President, and Past-President of this organization, where he was responsible for organizing conferences for soccer coaches across the great state of Texas in an effort to improve the game. One presenter he is particularly fond of recruiting for the clinic is Tony DiCicco, coach of the United States Men's National Soccer Team. Having such a high caliber presenter is helping raise the bar for the sport of soccer. Most recently, Coach Gibby was inducted into the Hall of Honor for soccer coaches in the state of Texas for his contributions to the sport and the athletes he serves.

"You will not find anyone with more passion than Coach Gibby Widner. He strives for the best, both for himself and his athletes," said Laura. "How do I know? He has coached both of our sons on the pitch. He has made them better players, but I’m most proud that they are better young men because of the mentorship he’s provided to them as a coach."

"Blood, sweat, and tears..."

This is what Coach Widner gives to help his athletes become better, not only at the game of soccer, but at the game of life.