Hall of Fame
Willa Gipson received her bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan College in 1983 and her master’s degree in education from Texas Woman’s University in 1990. While at Texas Wesleyan, Gipson played in basketball and volleyball. Known as a team leader, she led the Lady Rams volleyball team to a national runner-up finish with an overall record of 45-22 in her senior year. The team’s 45 wins are still a school record.
She began working at Haltom High School, teaching English and coaching both volleyball and basketball. After more than five years as a teacher/coach, Gipson became an athletic director for Birdville Independent School District. In doing so, she became only the fourth female athletic director in the State of Texas and the first African American female athletic director in the state. She earned her mid-management administration certification in 1991 from Texas Woman’s University and her superintendent certification in 2001 from the University of Texas at Arlington.
She was also an assistant principal at Richland High School for two years before becoming Director of Athletics.
Gipson’s honors include Second Team NAIA All-American in volleyball in 1982 and induction into the NAIA Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1991. A Texas Wesleyan fan for life, Willa has two children, Whitney, 20, and Wesley, 17, whose name is derived from the word Wesleyan. She has written “Winning Isn’t Everything” as well as “The Role of the Female School Executive.”
