Gibson, an outfielder from Lancaster, Ohio, attended Heidelberg College as a freshman where he was a member of the baseball team before knee surgery sidelined him for the year. A four-year varsity letterman at Fairfield Union High School, he batted .467 with 51 RBI and tied for the Central Ohio lead with 12 home runs as a senior when he was named to the Mid-State League First Team, the All-District First Team, the All-County First Team, and was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the District All-Star Game. This summer, he is batting .455 with 13 doubles, five triples, 12 home runs, 49 runs scored, and 54 RBI in 52 games as a member of the Lancaster Post 11 American Legion team.

“Chaz comes to us with some very good competitive experiences,” said MVNU head coach Keith Veale, who has posted a 641-310 record in 19 seasons at the helm of the Cougars. “He played in a solid high school program and for the Lancaster Legion team which does a great job of helping prepare players for the collegiate level. I believe that Chaz has the athletic ability to play any of our outfield positions which is a big plus especially in our home park which is spacious on the right side. Offensively, he has the potential to hit in the front third of our order and generate some runs with his speed. Additionally, I think he will thrive in our campus environment from an academic, spiritual, and social aspect. He is a guy who wants to be here at MVNU.”

In addition to playing baseball at Fairfield Union, Gibson was involved in Spanish Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was inducted into National Honor Society and was on the National Honor Roll as well as receiving a diploma with honors and a diploma with distinction in Spanish. He received several scholar-athlete awards and academic letters, and he also received a superior rating in a science fair as a junior.

“I am transferring to Mount Vernon Nazarene University because it is the perfect fit for my morals and values,” said Gibson of his decision. “I saw immediately that a college without a Christian background was not for me. I wanted to better myself as a person and become closer to Christ. I also wanted the best education possible and to be a part of a baseball program that would not only teach me how to become a successful player, but to become successful in all aspects of my life. That is why MVNU is the best college for me.”

MVNU is an NAIA school that competes in the American Mideast Conference. The Cougars posted a 39-21 overall record in 2008 and captured the program’s sixth National Christian College Athletic Association national title. The team also advanced to the NAIA Region IX Tournament championship game for the ninth straight year. Over the years, MVNU has had 13 players drafted by Major League teams including Tim Belcher, who was the top pick overall in the 1983 draft. Seven other former players have signed free agent contracts to play professional baseball.