Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Once a Dolphin, always a Dolphin Corey Gibson (center) signed a scholarship to play soccer at Jacksonville University last week. Also shown are (from left): stepfather Tom Douglas, mother Julie Philippart, GBHS coach Bruce Savage (standing), father Mark Gibson and stepmother Candace Gibson. Corey Gibson, who tied a school record with 33 goals this season, signed a soccer scholarship with Jacksonville University Thursday.

"I just loved everything about it," said Gibson, who visited JU and also drew interest from Flagler College, Andrew College and the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

"The coaches told me to come ready to play the first day," Gibson said.

"He had a fantastic season for us," GBHS coach Bruce Savage said. "Hopefully, he will continue that at Jacksonville University."

Gibson led the Dolphins to the regional finals this season before losing to Fernandina Beach. It marked the farthest the Dolphins had gone in the postseason in four years.

"It's going to be fun for him playing with quality players as big, strong and fit as him," Savage said.

The JU Dolphins went 7-11-1 this season, losing to Stetson in the semifinals of the Atlantic Sun Tournament.

In addition to his parents and steparents (see picture) being present, grandparents Doby and Virginia Gibson and family friends Gil and Naomi Zoeller were also present.

He is also the first boys soccer player to sign with a Division I school since C.D. Harris (South Florida) did it in 1999.