Downers North Welcomes New Boys Cross Country Coach Who's a Familiar Face

For several years, Downers North boys cross country was synonymous with coach , who led the Trojans to six top 20 finishes at the state meet—including top-five showings in 1999 and 2000--during his tenure.

Now, the DGN cross country team is John Sipple’s.

Sipple, recently named the Trojans’ new head coach, takes over for Kupisch, who retired from Downers North last spring after 33 years as a coach and guidance counselor.

Sipple is already very familiar with the personnel on this year’s team. In addition to assisting Kupisch with the cross country team the past few years, Sipple is head coach of the Trojan boys track team. Several runners from the cross country squad move over to the track team come springtime and compete for Sipple in distance events.

“It definitely helps me that they’re pretty familiar with me and I’m familiar with them and what they do,” Sipple said.

Sipple admits it’s going to feel strange not having “Koop” around after so many years. Even though Kupisch won’t be a regular assistant, Sipple noted that whenever Koop wants to stop by, he’s more than welcome to do so.

“And for certain things, he’ll be by,” Sipple said. “He’s a pseudo assistant coach.”

The charismatic and popular Kupisch is a motivator extraordinaire. Sipple is quite good at getting the most out of his runners, too, but he wants everyone to know that he’s not the second coming of Koop, nor does he want to be.

“He’s just so good motivationally, but I do think a little bit differently on how I try to motivate,” Sipple said. “Things will be a little different, but we’re still shooting to keep a high level of running and turn out great individuals.

“I think Koop and I, in terms of coaching the boys, a lot of our philosophies line up. I want to have kids grow up, take responsibility and become good people and good guys. Kids in high school are challenged in so many ways, trying to figure out who they are.

“In terms of me being head coach, I’m going to do things my way and figure out how to best motivate my athletes and get the most out of them running-wise, and as people.”

Kupisch is confident the program will continue its tradition of excellence with Sipple at the helm.

“I’m excited for him,” Kupisch said. “I believe he’s got some different ideas and things that he wants to do to place his personality and his touch on the program, which is great. I’m hoping it (the program) was left in good shape, and he’s going to take it to the next level, whatever that is for him.

“The biggest thing is he’s aware that it’s about developing young men; men of character to take on the challenges of the new world that’s ahead and forever changing and very challenging. I believe that he’s going to do that. Victories, trophies that you win are icing on the cake.”

Sipple said he would like to see the Trojans not only continue to qualify for the Class 3A state meet, but raise the bar higher once they arrive in Peoria.

“This program has a great history and tradition that was built by Koop,” he said. “I want to continue that and live up to what Koop has done. Making the state meet is a goal of ours, and it will continue to be a goal in the future. We’re one of the top 25 teams in the state, and hopefully we’ll move that up to the top 15 to 10 teams in the state.

“At the same time, we want to maintain our tradition and the idea of helping these boys grow into young men. Use the vehicle of running to help them become better as people. That’s the underlying goal all the time.”

Sipple describes himself as being “pretty even-keeled” during practice sessions, but on race day, he “goes a little crazy”—running to several different spots along the course in order to encourage his runners.

“Once the gun goes off, you really have no control anymore (as a coach),” he said. “You can’t call time out and regroup the kids and coach them up. I’m all over the course. I yell and scream, and hopefully they (runners) try to hear me. Whether it’s words of encouragement or to help them refocus during the race or help them dig deeper.”

Three runners who helped the Trojans qualify for state last year return as the team’s 2011 nucleus—seniors Kevin Proffitt and Pat Grogan, and sophomore Zach Smith. Also back is junior Ben Eaton, who missed most of 2010 with a stress fracture in his leg.

Sipple’s assistant coaches this season are Jill Blondell, Glenn Vitcichi and Eric Buhot.