Tom Kibler

Who was Tom Kibler?

John Thomas "Tom" Kibler was a coach at Washington College, in various capacities, for over half a century. His duties included coaching the baseball, basketball and football teams.

Prior to joining the Washington College staff, Kibler had been a baseball and basketball coach at the Ohio State University. He coached the basketball team from 1908 to 1910 and compiled a record of 22-2. He still holds the school coaching record for highest winning percentage.

Kibler joined the Washington College staff in 1913. He coached the basketball team until 1939, going 272-98 during those years.

From 1937 to 1949, he was the President of the Eastern Shore League. He is perhaps best known for a decision he made in 1937 to forfeit all of the Salisbury Indians's wins midway through the season, under shaky evidence. The ruling was later called "stupid," "unjust," and "unfair." Salisbury eventually came back to win the league championship.

Kibler was inducted into the Washington College Hall of Fame on October 9, 1981.