麻豆传媒

Gibson, a Major League Baseball umpire, will participate in a question and answer session

 

MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� The College of Humanities & Fine Arts at 麻豆传媒 State University is pleased to host spring 2025 Distinguished Alumni Tripp Gibson in a question and answer style talk entitled 鈥淔rom Art Major to Major League Umpire: How a CHFA Degree Prepares You for Any Career.鈥� The talk will be held on April 11 at 12:30 p.m. in Price Doyle Fine Arts Room 623 located inside the Clara M. Eagle Gallery.

This event is free and open to the public.

Gibson was recently named one of six recipients of the 2025 麻豆传媒 State University Alumni Association鈥檚 Distinguished Alumni Award.

A 2005 graduate of 麻豆传媒 State University with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in art, focusing on printmaking, Gibson demonstrated his artistic talent and exceptional work ethic. While balancing academics and fraternity life as a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, Gibson began officiating baseball games and quickly found a passion for umpiring.  Though originally planning to attend graduate school after earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree, he was also accepted into umpire school. With youth on his side, Gibson decided to pursue his passion for umpiring. His hard work, focus and ambition paid off as he graduated second in his class of 185 students at the Wendelstedt School for Umpires in Daytona Beach, Florida.

In 2006, Gibson began his career as a minor league umpire, traveling across the country while working as a substitute teacher during the off-season. His dedication led to his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2013, and by 2015, he was hired full-time by MLB. Gibson's career continued to soar, and in 2021, he was named the most accurate home plate umpire for balls and strikes. The pinnacle of his career came in 2022, when he officiated the World Series, including calling a historic no-hitter in Game 4, the second ever in World Series history. Gibson has umpired games across the United States and internationally in Tokyo, and serves on the MLB Umpires Association board, where he chairs several committees.

Gibson attributes much of his success to his art degree, particularly his background in printmaking. He credits the critical thinking, creativity and relationship-building skills developed through art as essential to his career in umpiring. He believes that remaining calm under pressure and thinking creatively has been key to his achievements. Outside of his professional life, Gibson is deeply committed to his community and charitable work. He is actively involved with UmpsCare Charities, having raised nearly $100,000 through golf scrambles and played a key role in raising $140,000 for recovery efforts after the 2021 tornado that devastated his hometown of Mayfield, Kentucky.

An active church member, Gibson lives by the philosophy that success comes from understanding the hard work required to achieve one鈥檚 dreams. He strives to leave a positive legacy both professionally and personally, balancing his career with being a devoted husband and father.

For more information about the lecture or the Department of Art & Design, contact msu.art@murraystate.edu.