Freed-Hardeman Retires Jersey of Late Jana Cross Gobble

On February 7, 2026, Freed-Hardeman University retired jersey No. 41 in honor of the late All-American Jana Cross Gobble during a ceremony at the Brewer Sports Center. The jersey, which had been worn by only three Lady Lions since Gobble last wore it at the conclusion of the 2009–10 season, will never again be worn in competition.

The recipient of several awards during her playing career, Gobble was the 2006-07 TranSouth Conference Freshman of the Year, marking the first of four straight first team All-Conference nods. She was also a four-time NAIA All-American with her biggest award coming in 2009 when she was the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s NAIA Player of the Year.

She remains the second leading scorer in program history with 2,222 points, and her field goal percentage of 57.3% is still the highest of any Lady Lion in history.

“We are honored to be able to retire Jana’s jersey,” said FHU head coach Abby Stutts. “Her legacy of who she was as a Lady Lion speaks louder than just a stat line. She is someone who represented what it means to be a Lady Lion in every aspect. A great player and even better person. The stories that have been told say everything about the impact Jana had on our women’s basketball program. She is one of the greats that will forever be a part of our program’s story.”

FHU freshman Ally Weathers, a current Lady Lion, remembers Gobble’s “kind and gentle spirit” as a family friend from Loretto, Tennessee. “Jana showed what it means to be a Lady Mustang of Loretto and a Lady Lion of Freed-Hardeman,” Weathers said. “She was a competitor on the court and just a great human off the court. She was so kind to all the people she met, and was just a true example of Christ.”

Gobble passed away August 7, 2025, after a lengthy battle against cancer. She is survived by her husband, Wesley and two children, Maizy and Grayson.

Lady Lions jersey No. 41 will never again be worn in competition for FHU.