Football | 7/27/2016 12:55:00 PM

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University football offensive tackle alum Mathu Gibson ('16, Winston Salem, N.C.) has received the opportunity to begin his professional football career as he has signed with the Newcastle Miners. The Miners are a member of the National Gridiron League (NGL) in Australia, an organization consisting of nine teams full of former American collegiate and international football players who have the chance to extend their playing careers in a unique environment. The league is set to begin its inaugural season this August.
 
"We are very proud of Mathu," Wingate head football coach Joe Reich says. "We are excited to see him get this opportunity. This should be a great experience for him. He is an outstanding human being who is worthy of any good fortune which might come his way. I know he will do well."
 
Before arriving at Wingate in 2011, Gibson played football for the West Forsyth High School Titans in his hometown of Winston-Salem. He will now be playing the game he loves at the professional level across the globe in a new continent. Gibson is ready to take on this new chapter in his life and experience a different world.
 
"It has been really exciting," Gibson says. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to play football in Australia, along with living in a new culture."
 
After the conclusion of the National Football League draft on April 30, Gibson was signed by the New York Jets and received an invitation to their rookie free agent mini-camp. Although he did not make the cut, Gibson was extremely thankful for the chance to live out his NFL dreams and gained a lot from the experience.
 
"It was a great blessing," Gibson says. "I was able to play against a lot of high level competition. (The experience) made me feel confident that I can play against anyone."
 
As a two-year captain and four-year starter for the Bulldogs, Gibson earned first team All-South Atlantic Conference honors following the 2015 season. He posted 24 knockdown blocks, only allowed two sacks and earned a 91 percent overall grade (taking into account mental, technical and effort grades). Due to his stellar performances in his redshirt senior campaign, Gibson was named first team USA College Football Division II All-American in 2015.
 
Gibson earned a reputation as one of the top offensive lineman in the region and throughout NCAA Division II football due to his outstanding contributions during his four years at Wingate.
 
Gibson's time in the Jets mini-camp opened up opportunities for the left tackle to begin his professional campaign in another league. "After Jets camp, I heard from multiple teams in the NGL," Gibson says. "The Miners followed me throughout my entire path to the NFL Draft from the Dream Bowl to rookie mini-camp. Coach Claick contacted me and offered a contract, so I took it. I'm very blessed to have this chance."
 
At 6-6, 295 pounds, the Wingate alum has the ability and talent to succeed at the next level. "One of my goals while I'm here is to experience a whole new part of the world," Gibson says. "My primary goal is to do very well in this league and hopefully do well enough to earn a new contract with an NFL team."
 
Aside from his achievements on the field, Gibson possesses a stellar work ethic, attitude and character that has been admired by all of his coaches and teammates throughout the years. His hard work and determination have made him stand out as a player and person during his football career. He is universally loved by his Wingate professors and the entire Bulldog athletic department.
 
Gibson also is well-known for giving back to the community off the field. He played a significant role in the Wingate football program's connections with the Boys and Girls Club of Union County as he assisted in the team's efforts to raise nearly $3000 during the 2015 spring game.
 
Gibson will bring his talents to the Newcastle Miners Australian football team this coming fall. He will use his past NFL experience as a driving force to help him maintain a successful professional football career and hopefully one day again have the chance to be a part of an NFL organization.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,100 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, master's degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport management and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 15 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 10 years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 86 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate is number one in this millennium with 86 Academic All-America® honorees. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 95 lifetime Academic All-America® picks. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.
 
(Wingate University sports information/sports network student assistant Jackson Kaplan contributed this article. A rising sophomore from Raleigh, Kaplan is a Communication Studies major at Wingate. He is the son of Harrison and Dona Kaplan.)