SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame has announced that former Southeast Missouri outfielder Derek Gibson will be presented with the Special Achievement Award at its annual Enshrinement Ceremony. The ceremony will be held Jan. 25 in Springfield.
 
The award is given to a Missouri native who has been recognized in his/her sport on the national level. Gibson will be receiving the award for his selection as a 2014 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association First Team All-American. Gibson hails from Bonne Terre, Missouri. 
 
"I'm just thankful to be a part of something so special with the St. Louis Cardinals and to have had the opportunity to win an Ohio Valley Conference championship at Southeast," Gibson said. "There is such a special group of people at Southeast and I'm so thankful for everyone there and the memories we all share. I am humbled to be honored by my home state and for the opportunity to represent Southeast Missouri State University and the St. Louis Cardinals. It's been an incredible experience and I'm so excited to see what the future holds."
 
Aside from earning national recognition from the NCBWA, Gibson also received national accolades as a Capital One Academic All-American® and Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division I Second Team All-American. Gibson was also named First Team South All-Region and First Team All-OVC.
 
Gibson was also named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, which is given annually to the top player in collegiate baseball.
 
Gibson signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals in June. He played for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals before earning a promotion to the club's Palm Beach affiliate later in the season.