RORY WHIPPLE NAMED FSC MEN’S LACROSSE COACH

Rory Whipple, who has successfully built men’s lacrosse programs at three other colleges, has been hired to do the same thing at Florida Southern College. FSC Athletics Director Lois Webb announced Wednesday that Whipple will be the head coach for the Moccasins’ program that will start competition in the 2008-09 school year.

“Rory has a proven track record of developing winning lacrosse programs. I am looking forward to having him direct our inaugural season and building a top-notch lacrosse program at Florida Southern,” Webb stated.

Currently the lacrosse coach at Vero Beach High School, Whipple will officially begin his duties at Florida Southern on June 1.

“I want to thank Lois Webb for the opportunity to come to Florida Southern and start the men’s lacrosse program,” Whipple said. “I am confident I can build a highly competitive Division II program that someday will compete for a national championship. With my coaching experience in Florida, as well as my past experience in building and coaching successful lacrosse programs, I’m confident I’ll be able to attract recruits from all over the country to play at Florida Southern. My goal is to recruit students of strong character who are committed to the classroom as well as the playing field and who will contribute to the Florida Southern community. I look forward to getting back into coaching at the college level and welcome this great opportunity and challenge.”

Whipple was men’s lacrosse coach at Bryant University (R.I.) for seven seasons, starting the program in 2000 and producing a 75-39 record during that time. Fifteen Bryant players earned All-America honors during his tenure. After posting a 7-7 record in its inaugural season, Bryant went on to enjoy six straight winning seasons under Whipple’s direction. His teams were nationally ranked in Division II each of his seven seasons there.

Before going to Bryant, Whipple was the men’s lacrosse coach at Hartwick College (N.Y.) for 12 years. He took over that program in 1987 and became the most successful coach in the program’s history, producing 10 straight winning seasons and an overall record of 114-65. He took Hartwick to its first NCAA tournament berth in 1995.

Prior to taking over the Hartwick program, Whipple coached the Clarkson University (N.Y.) men’s lacrosse team for seven seasons, setting the school record for wins with a 10-5 record in 1986. At the same time, he also was the head wrestling coach at Clarkson.

Whipple also has had extensive international lacrosse experience. In 1993 he traveled to Japan with a group from the U.S. to work development programs in that country. In 1994 he was named head coach of the Iroquois National Team and led the squad to a fifth-place finish at the World Lacrosse Championships in England. He also coached the team at the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver that year.

He returned to Japan in 1996 as a coach of the Iroquois National Team for the Under-19 World Championships. In 1999 he coached the Under-19 Iroquois Junior National Team to a bronze medal in the World Games in Australia. In 2002, he was an assistant coach for the Iroquois National Team that placed fourth in the 2002 World Championship in Australia.

A 1976 graduate of Cortland State (N.Y.), Whipple played on the Cortland State 1975 NCAA Division II championship lacrosse team. He also earned All-America honors in wrestling at Cortland State and twice was named the team’s most valuable wrestler.

Whipple and his wife, Judy, have one daughter, Kristie, and two sons, Max and Conor.