Kristian Ferrell
Will Phipps is a prominent figure in the world of basketball, known for his contributions as a coach and administrator. Phipps grew up in Lubbock and graduated from Baylor University, where he served as a student coach for the men's basketball team under head coach Scott Drew. He later worked at Valparaiso University in Indiana, before returning to Waco in 2015 to become the executive director and president of the Greater Waco Sports Commission. Phipps has been instrumental in revitalizing Waco's sports scene, particularly basketball, and has envisioned a multi-use sports complex to attract youth events and showcase local athletic talent. He has also brought in event producers for basketball tournaments and worked on facility renovations, aiming to benefit the local community and school districts. Additionally, Styles Phipps, a basketball player at a Phoenix faith-based school, shares the same last name, indicating a potential family connection to the sport.
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What You'll Learn
Will Phipps' career as a basketball coach
Will Phipps' career in basketball coaching began at Baylor University, where he worked as a student coach under men's basketball head coach Scott Drew for four years. Phipps approached coach Matt Driscoll and expressed his desire to get into coaching, and this opportunity allowed him to gain initial experience in coaching. After graduating from Baylor, Phipps joined the college basketball staff at Georgia Tech under Paul Hewitt. Unfortunately, Hewitt was fired two years later, bringing Phipps' time at Georgia Tech to an early end.
Subsequently, Phipps moved to Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he worked under Bryce Drew, the brother of his former coach at Baylor. Phipps spent four years at Valpo, from 2011 until the summer of 2015. During his time at these institutions, Phipps had the opportunity to observe and learn from renowned players and coaches, such as Chris Bosh, Jarrett Jack, Iman Shumpert, and Derrick Favors.
In 2015, Phipps returned to Texas, specifically to Waco, along with his wife, Lauren, and their two children. Here, he took on the role of executive director and president of the Greater Waco Sports Commission. In this position, Phipps has been working to revitalize and promote Waco as a destination for youth sports, including basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer, and football. He envisions a multi-use sports complex that can attract a variety of youth events and benefit the local community.
Phipps has also been involved in discussions about the Extraco Events Center, which includes plans for new volleyball and basketball courts, as well as additional space for sports like table tennis, cheer and dance, and wrestling. He recognizes the potential for these facilities to bring economic impact and activity to Waco, benefiting local school districts and providing opportunities for local teams to practice and develop their skills.
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Waco's sports facilities
Waco, Texas, is home to a variety of sports facilities, catering to a range of different sports. The city has been working to revitalise itself through sports, with Will Phipps, the former executive director and president of the Greater Waco Sports Commission, aiming to make Waco a destination for youth sports.
One of the flagship sports facilities in Waco is the Extraco Events Center, which has undergone a $30 million renovation to create a 53,000-square-foot flat floor space, with a total of 80,000 square feet. This space includes 12 volleyball courts and six basketball courts, as well as concessions, a kitchen, and outdoor patio seating. The renovation has opened up new opportunities for lucrative tournaments and special events, benefiting the local community and attracting tourists to the city.
In addition to the Extraco Events Center, Waco also boasts the world-class BSR Cable Park, which features a surf park that has been praised as one of the best in the world. The park attracts top surfers and the Olympic training team, and its unique waves are a draw for locals and tourists alike. Waco is also home to the Waco Athletic Center, which offers summer activities and training opportunities for youth sports, helping to improve the skills of young athletes.
The city has also identified the need for a multi-use sports complex that can host a variety of sporting events and cater to different sports. This includes mainstream sports like basketball and volleyball, as well as less mainstream sports such as trail runs, Frisbee golf tournaments, mountain biking, and rowing. Waco's natural resources, such as Cameron Park and the Brazos River, can be utilised for these outdoor sports and activities.
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The impact of sports on Waco's economy
Will Phipps, the former executive director and president of the Greater Waco Sports Commission, has played a significant role in revitalizing Waco's economy through sports. The commission aims to attract new sporting events and enhance existing ones to positively impact the local economy and improve the quality of life in McLennan County. Waco's central location in Texas, with 18 million people within a 3-hour driving radius, makes it an ideal destination for youth sports.
The commission has identified the need for a multi-use sports complex to host tournaments and events for basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer, and football. Additionally, they plan to utilize natural resources like Cameron Park and the Brazos River for trail runs, Frisbee golf tournaments, mountain biking, and water sports. These initiatives will bring athletes, their families, and spectators to Waco, boosting the local economy through tourism and spending.
The $30 million renovation of the Extraco Events Center includes 53,000 square feet of usable space, volleyball and basketball courts, and various amenities. This world-class facility has already attracted the Olympic training team for surfing and is expected to generate significant economic activity for the region. The tournaments and events will not only bring participants but also their families, creating a need for accommodations, dining, and other services, further contributing to Waco's economy.
Furthermore, the presence of Baylor University and its successful athletics program, including basketball, have a substantial economic impact on the city. The athletics program alone brings in $386 million to Waco, and the university's conference affiliations enhance its national visibility, benefiting the local economy through tourism and exposure. The potential loss of revenue due to changes in conference affiliations could have a noticeable impact on Waco's economy, as noted by local economists and the mayor.
Overall, sports have played and continue to play a crucial role in the economic development and revitalization of Waco. The efforts of individuals like Will Phipps and organizations like the Greater Waco Sports Commission are instrumental in leveraging the power of sports to create a positive and lasting impact on the city and its communities.
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Waco's youth sports
Waco, Texas, is a hub for youth sports, with the Greater Waco Sports Commission at the heart of the community's athletic pursuits. The Commission's first executive director and president, Will Phipps, has been instrumental in developing Waco as a destination for young athletes.
Phipps, a Baylor graduate, envisioned a multi-use sports complex in Waco to attract a variety of youth events. He recognised the potential of the city's central location, within a three-hour drive for 18 million Texans. With a focus on basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer, and football, Phipps aimed to establish Waco as a premier sports destination.
The $30 million renovation to the fairgrounds resulted in a state-of-the-art complex with 53,000 square feet of usable space. This includes 12 volleyball courts, six basketball courts, concessions, a kitchen, and outdoor patio seating. The facility has boosted the local economy and provided a space for local teams to practice and develop their skills.
In addition to traditional sports, Phipps also advocated for utilising Waco's natural resources for less mainstream sports. Cameron Park and the Brazos River, for example, are ideal for trail runs, mountain biking, and water sports. The BSR Cable Park, owned by Stuart Parsons, is another unique attraction, featuring a world-class surf park that has drawn top surfers and Olympic teams to Waco.
The Greater Waco Sports Commission continues to partner with local teams and organisations, fostering a vibrant youth sports culture in the community. With a focus on both traditional and non-traditional sports, Waco offers a diverse range of athletic opportunities for its young residents. Waco United Youth Sports is another organisation dedicated to promoting and organising youth sports in the area. Together, these organisations are helping to shape the future of youth athletics in Waco, providing opportunities for growth, competition, and community building.
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The Greater Waco Sports Commission
Will Phipps, a name familiar to Baylor basketball fans, was appointed as the first executive director and president of the Greater Waco Sports Commission in 2015. Phipps, who graduated from Baylor, has a strong background in basketball. He worked with the Baylor University men's basketball head coach, Scott Drew, as a student coach for four years.
Phipps has ambitious plans to revitalise Waco, using sports as a vehicle. He wants to make Waco a destination for youth sports, including basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer, and football. Phipps also wants to utilise Waco's natural resources, such as Cameron Park and the Brazos River, for activities such as trail runs, Frisbee golf tournaments, mountain biking, and rowing. He envisions a multi-use sports complex that can attract a variety of youth events due to its central location.
Phipps and the Greater Waco Sports Commission are focused on identifying areas where they can attract more events and capitalise on the impact of sports on the local economy. They aim to create opportunities for the younger generation of Waco athletes to showcase their talents and engage in a variety of sports. The Commission is also open to new ideas and encourages community involvement through volunteering at events.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Phipps is the first executive director of the Greater Waco Sports Commission. He is a Baylor graduate and a former student coach for the Baylor University men's basketball team.
Phipps aims to revitalise Waco by leveraging sports as a vehicle. He wants to make Waco a destination for youth sports, including basketball, and develop a multi-use sports complex to attract a variety of youth events.
Phipps plans to identify areas where they can attract more events and utilise natural resources like Cameron Park and the Brazos River for activities such as trail runs, mountain biking, and rowing. He also intends to bring in event producers for basketball and volleyball tournaments.
Will Phipps encourages community members to volunteer at events and give back to Waco. He also welcomes ideas and suggestions to be sent to his email address, with a website, WACOSPORTS.ORG, in the works.
