Gib Ford

Gib Ford played for the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1954. While there he led the team to three Southwest Conference titles and co-captained the team in his senior year. He later played for the Phillips 66 Oilers before joining the Air Force. It was while playing for the Air Force team that he was selected to play in the 1956 Olympics.

In 1961 Ford joined Converse, known for making basketball shoes, and spent his entire business career with the company. In 1986 he was named President, Chairman of the Board, and CEO, a position he held until his retirement in 1996.

Ford was twice Chairman of the Board of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), serving in 1982-85 and 1991-93. He also was a member of the Board of World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry, The New England Sports Hall of Fame, and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Ford was inducted into the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 1986 was inducted into the University of Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor.