Coach Sipple was honored as the 3A North Division Coach of the Year at the 2018 ITCCA Clinic in Lombard on Friday, Jan. 5.
North High Science Teacher and Boys Cross Country Head Coach, John Sipple, was named the 3A North Division Coach of the Year by the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (ITCCCA). Coach Sipple was honored at the 2018 ITCCA Clinic in Lombard on Friday, Jan. 5.
Coach Sipple was also a speaker at the event with a presentation titled, “A Passionate Pursuit,” reviewing training, coaching philosophy, themes and mottos, team culture and ownership to other cross country coaches.
“It is an honor to accept this prestigious award,” Coach Sipple said. “My goal of coaching is to inspire and motivate athletes to work hard through difficulties and help them achieve what they are capable of. We focus on the development of Championship Character within our athletes to help them not only in the field of competition but more importantly in life.”
Coach Sipple is the North High Boys Cross Country Head Coach and a Boys Track & Field Assistant Coach at Downers Grove North High School. In 2017, Coach Sipple’s teams were named the 3A State Cross Country Champions and NXR Midwest Champions. Coach Sipple’s cross country teams were runners up at the IHSA State Cross Country meets in 2013 and 2016.
“We’re incredibly proud of this well-deserved honor for one of our educators and coaches,” North High Principal, Janice Schwarze said. “Coach Sipple is an outstanding inspiration to our students, faculty and community.”
Coach Sipple prepped at Carl Sandburg High School for Coach Pete Struck and Coach Kevin Carey. During high school, he ran cross country and track all four years. He then moved on to Eastern Illinois University, where he competed for Coach Jon MacInerney and Coach Tom Akers. Coach Sipple continued on to be the Volunteer Graduate Assistant Coach for the Panthers during his time as a chemistry graduate student.