Cabrini University Athletics

In the fall of 1984, Fredia Gibbs walked onto campus to begin a career that would rewrite the women’s basketball record book and carry her from the streets of Chester, PA to a world champion kick boxer.

No stranger to athletic success, Gibbs was a basketball star at Chester High School and Temple before transferring to Cabrini prior to her sophomore campaign. Gibbs was set to head west as a walk-on at UCLA, but a family illness and her friendship with former basketball coach Mike Tenaglia convinced her to attend Cabrini.

From the moment she stepped on the hardwood, it was clear that her talent would help establish the women’s basketball program. Despite the differences between Gibbs and her teammates, they quickly bonded off the court, which helped them establish tight bonds on the floor.

Gibbs’ talent was reflected in a career that included 2,395 points, 901 rebounds, 680 assists and 318 steals. She owns three of the program’s best single season efforts in points (top three), rebounds (two of the top three), steals (top three) and assists (three of the top four).

Gibbs received All-America Honorable Mention following the 1986 season then closed her career as the only player in Cabrini history to be named a Kodak All-American, one of just 10 Division III players to receive the honor in 1987.

Gibbs success at Cabrini proved to be one of the early steps in her successful athletic career.  

After playing basketball professionally in Europe, Gibbs stumbled on video of a professional kickboxing match, which sparked her interest.

She turned her focus to martial arts and, after winning each of her first eight professional fights, Gibbs defeated French superstar Valerie Wiet-Henin, then known as the “most dangerous woman in the world” to win the International Sport Karate Association World Super Lightweight championship. The victory made Gibbs the first African American woman ever to hold an ISKA world title.

It would not be the last world championship for Gibbs, who also claimed the World Kickboxing Association and WCK Muay Thai titles.

In 1997, Gibbs turned her sights to boxing, where she posted a 9-2-1 career record, including a 10-round draw against Sumya Anani in the 140-pound Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) world title fight.