TC’s Gibbons commits to Franklin & Marshall

Posted Jan 30, 2010 by Bill Ward

Updated Jan 30, 2010 at 05:03 PM

Tampa Catholic senior offensive lineman Matt Gibbons, a two-year starter for the Crusaders, has made a verbal commitment to Franklin & Marshall College, TC coach Bob Henriquez said Saturday.

Franklin & Marshall is a historic and prestigious liberal arts college in Lancaster, Pa., where it was first chartered in 1787. Its sports teams, nicknamed The Diplomats, play in the Centennial Conference. For football, Franklin & Marshall is Division III and as such, does not offer athletic scholarships. The 6-2, 300-pound Gibbons, however, will receive academic scholarships and in-kind financial assistance to attend the school, Henriquez said.

Gibbons was this year’s Principal’s Award winner at TC, fiven to the student displaying the best all-around athletic ability, sportsmanship and academic accomplishments.

“Matt is just a solid kid—a great student and athlete—and I think Franklin & Marshall is perfect for him,” Henriquez said. “They have a great football tradition there and academics on par with an Ivy League school.”

The Diplomats’ football team finished 9-2 last season, which included a 29-24 victory over Wilkes in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.