Dave Lipp
Dave Lipp
Year: Legacy Class '17
Team: Athletic Director & Men’s Basketball Coach at Northwest Christian College

During his 23 seasons as the head coach of the men's basketball program, Dave Lipp led NCU to thirteen national championship tournament appearances, winning five national titles. His teams won three straight National Bible College Athletic Association (NBCAA) championships from 1983-1985 and back-to-back National Small College Athletics Association (NSCAA) championships in 1998 and 1999. Coach Lipp is NCU's all-time wins leader with 438 victories, holding a .639 career winning percentage. He produced ten 20-win seasons.

Lipp was associated with the NCU athletic department for more than 40 years, beginning as a player and student-trainer in the late 1960's. He played three seasons with the Crusader basketball team, earning Team MVP honors twice and garnering All-Conference honors in 1971. Lipp also played baseball for the Crusaders

After graduating from NCU in 1971, Lipp worked as an assistant coach for Hall of Famer Duane Cox for seven seasons. Coach Lipp became the Head Coach for Northwest Christian College in 1980 and, in just his third season, led the Crusaders to an NBCAA National Championship, the first of five straight for the school. After the 1984-1985 season and the third straight championship, Lipp left to become the Assistant Head Coach for the University of Oregon women's basketball team as well as the first-ever Head Golf Coach for the Ducks in 1985.

Lipp returned to NCC in 1991 and, over the next 18 seasons, guided his teams to twelve post-season appearances, including a pair of NSCAA National Championships in 1998 and 1999 and three other runner-up finishes. Lipp earned national Coach of the Year honors in both 1998 and 1999. In his 23 seasons at the helm, Lipp had the privilege of coaching 16 All-Americans and in his final season was named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year.

Lipp also served as Athletic Director for 20 years, during which time he spearheaded numerous fundraising campaigns. He began a booster club and implemented a number of capital campaigns, working alongside Hall of Famer and President Emeritus Jim Womack on the construction of the Morse Event Center. Lipp also served as the director for the NCC Athletic Auction and Golf Tournament for 14 years.

Outside of the basketball community, coach Lipp is perhaps most well-known for his history within the sport of Baseball. Prior to enrolling at NCC, Lipp spent three years playing professional baseball in the NY Mets organization, from 1967-1969. He was a Cal State League All-Star second-baseman while playing for the Double-A Visalia Mets. Coach Lipp also coached baseball for one season at Northwest Christian, as well as one year at Churchill High School in Eugene.