About Gabi Brown | Sports Content Creator, Photographer & Volleyball Coach
About Gabi Brown
I’m Gabi Brown, a sports content creator, photographer and graphic designer, and a volleyball coach based in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach, where I’m now working on an M.A. in Sport Management, and I played NCAA Division I volleyball. I love connecting audiences with athletes, teams and sports brands—through a camera, a design, or a practice plan.
Sports content, photography and design
In September 2025 I founded GIBSMEDIA (@gibsmedia). I photograph and edit athletic events and individual athletes on a Sony A7 IV in Adobe Lightroom, and design player features, game-day graphics, tournament announcements and schedules in Canva and CapCut. I plan, schedule and publish the Instagram content myself and shape it around how the audience responds. You can see the work in my portfolio.
I’m the Social Media Manager for Santa Margarita Catholic High School volleyball, running @smchs_volleyball and @smchs_beachvb across Instagram and TikTok. I capture and publish real-time content during live events, work with journalists, photographers, videographers and school staff to keep the messaging consistent, and use Buffer to plan it all. One of my Reels for @smchs_volleyball passed 4 million views.
From December 2025 to August 2026 I was Social Media Manager, videographer and photographer for 949 Volleyball Club (@949vb), running its Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. I shot matches, practices and tournaments for multiple club teams and worked with coaches and staff to find and tell the best athlete and team stories.
This fall, from October to December 2026, I’m interning in sports business as a Development Intern with Long Beach State Athletics and a Merchandise Intern with Orange County Soccer Club.
Coaching
I’m the Head JV Beach and Frosh Indoor Volleyball Coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, planning practices, training programs, competitions and summer camps for more than 60 student-athletes. My Frosh indoor team won the Queen’s Volleyball Tournament crown and the Dave Moh’s tournament.
From June 2023 to June 2026 I coached at Tstreet Volleyball Club in Irvine. I led specialty clinics for athletes ages 12–18, ran the administration for clinics and summer camps serving more than 80 athletes, and coached elite teams in SCSN Division 1–2 competition. I recruited and built a top-15 Division 1 SCVA roster, and led a 13–3 team to third place at the Salt Lake City Showdown and a Gold Division finish at the Red Rock Rave Qualifier.
Coaching philosophy
My coaching style is rooted in empathy, communication, and structure, shaped by my background in psychology and years of team experience. I design detailed training plans for both practices and clinics, incorporating technical skills, game scenarios, mental resilience, and injury prevention.
I believe athletes perform best when they feel heard, respected, and supported, so I hold regular one-on-one meetings to discuss goals, roles, and mindset. Whether I am leading a large clinic or guiding a small group session, my goal is to create a positive environment where athletes can push their limits while still enjoying the game.
Playing career
I played NCAA Division I indoor volleyball at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021–22. At Irvine Valley College in 2022–23 I was captain of the women’s indoor team (CCCAA #11 ranking), a member of the CCCAA Beach Volleyball State Championship team, and was named 1st Team All-Conference in both beach and indoor volleyball.
Education and background
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach in 2025 with a 4.0 GPA, Summa Cum Laude and on the President’s List, and I’m now studying for a Master of Arts in Sport Management there (through 2027). Before that I earned Associate of Arts degrees in Psychology, Behavioral Sciences and Liberal Studies at Irvine Valley College in 2023, with a 4.0 GPA, Magna Cum Laude. My certifications include Sports Marketing Essentials (2026), Red Cross Adult First Aid/CPR/AED, USA Volleyball SafeSport and USAV IMPACT.
Originally from Boulder, Colorado, I grew up in New Zealand, which gave me a global perspective and appreciation for diverse cultures and communities. Now living in Rancho Santa Margarita, I continue to grow personally and professionally through coaching, content, education, and community involvement.
Beyond volleyball
Outside of the gym, I am passionate about reading, nutrition, health, cooking, and spending time with animals and in nature. These interests influence how I approach performance, recovery, and balance, and I often encourage athletes to think about their overall lifestyle—not just what happens at practice.
Whether I am shooting a match, designing a game-day graphic, or cheering from the sideline, I bring energy, positivity, and a genuine commitment to telling athletes’ stories and helping them reach their potential. See my portfolio and resume, or connect on Instagram and LinkedIn.