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Will Phipps is a well-known name among Baylor basketball fans. Phipps, who grew up in Lubbock, continued his family tradition by graduating from Baylor University, where he worked as a student coach for the men's basketball team under head coach Scott Drew for four years. After graduating, Phipps gained experience as a college basketball staff member at Georgia Tech and Valparaiso University. In 2015, Phipps and his wife, Lauren, a fellow Baylor graduate, moved back to Texas and settled in Waco, where he took on the role of executive director and president of the Greater Waco Sports Commission.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Will Phipps |
| Alma Mater | Baylor University |
| Profession | Basketball Coach |
| Worked as a student coach under | Scott Drew |
| First official experience on a college basketball staff | Georgia Tech |
| Staff Head at Georgia Tech | Paul Hewitt |
| Subsequent Staff position | Valparaiso University |
| Head Coach at Valparaiso University | Bryce Drew |
| Year of return to Texas | 2015 |
| Position in Waco | Executive Director and President of the Greater Waco Sports Commission |
| Aim in Waco | To make Waco a destination for youth sports |
| Family | Wife, Lauren, Daughters, Laney and Riley |
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What You'll Learn
Will Phipps' role as a student coach at Baylor
Will Phipps is a familiar name to Baylor basketball fans. Phipps, who grew up in Lubbock, continued his family tradition by graduating from Baylor University. During his time at Baylor, Phipps served as a student coach for the men's basketball team, working under head coach Scott Drew for four years.
Phipps initially approached Baylor coach Matt Driscoll, expressing his interest in coaching. Driscoll guided him through the process, and Phipps gained his first experience as a student coach at Baylor. After graduating, Phipps joined the college basketball staff at Georgia Tech, where he worked with prominent players like Chris Bosh and Jarrett Jack. However, his stint there was cut short when the head coach, Paul Hewitt, was fired two years into Phipps' tenure.
Seeking a change, Phipps moved on to Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he worked under Bryce Drew, the brother of his former coach at Baylor. He spent four years at Valpo, from 2011 until the summer of 2015. During this time, Phipps also started a family with his wife, Lauren, who is also a Baylor graduate. They have two daughters, Laney and Riley.
In 2015, Phipps and his family relocated back to Texas, specifically Waco, where they settled down closer to their extended families. Phipps took on a new role as the first executive director and president of the Greater Waco Sports Commission. He envisioned Waco as a destination for youth sports, including basketball, volleyball, softball, and football. Phipps wanted to utilize the city's natural resources, such as Cameron Park and the Brazos River, to host a variety of sporting events. He also recognized the potential for a multi-use sports complex in Waco, similar to those in other major Texas cities.
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Phipps' work with Scott Drew
Will Phipps, a name familiar to Baylor basketball fans, worked with Scott Drew, the head coach of Baylor University's men's basketball team, as a student coach for four years. Phipps' journey into coaching began when his brother Turner was a walk-on basketball player for Baylor when Scott Drew first took over the program.
Phipps approached Baylor coach Matt Driscoll and expressed his desire to enter the coaching profession. Driscoll guided him through the process, and Phipps began his coaching career as a student coach at Baylor. He gained valuable experience working alongside Coach Drew, who had taken over a program in ruins due to a scandal and poor performance. Despite the challenges, Drew transformed the team into a perennial tournament contender, achieving success in the NCAA tournaments and winning the 2013 National Invitation Tournament.
During Phipps' time as a student coach, he contributed to the rebuilding process, learning from Drew's leadership and recruitment strategies. After graduating from Baylor, Phipps continued his coaching career at Georgia Tech under Paul Hewitt. Unfortunately, Hewitt was fired two years into Phipps' tenure, bringing his time at Georgia Tech to an early end.
Phipps then joined Bryce Drew's staff at Valparaiso University (Valpo), where he worked for four years. He returned to Texas in 2015 with his wife, Lauren, and their two children, taking on a new role as the executive director and president of the Greater Waco Sports Commission. In this position, Phipps focused on attracting various sporting events to Waco, including basketball, volleyball, softball, and baseball, aiming to showcase the talents of the younger generation of Waco athletes. He also emphasized the importance of community involvement and volunteerism in making Waco a destination for youth sports.
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Phipps' time at Georgia Tech and Valpo
Will Phipps' journey 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, expressing his interest in coaching, and the latter guided him through the process.
After graduating from Baylor, Phipps' first official experience on a college basketball staff was at Georgia Tech under Paul Hewitt. Unfortunately, Hewitt was fired two years after Phipps joined, bringing this stint to an abrupt end. During his time at Georgia Tech, Phipps had the opportunity to witness the work ethic of notable players such as Chris Bosh, Jarrett Jack, Iman Shumpert, and Derrick Favors.
Subsequently, Phipps moved to Valparaiso University (also known as Valpo) in Indiana, where he worked for another four years under Bryce Drew, the brother of his former coach at Baylor. This period at Valpo lasted from 2011 until the summer of 2015.
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The Greater Waco Sports Commission
Will Phipps, a Baylor graduate and former student basketball coach, led the Greater Waco Sports Commission in 2015. Phipps recognized the potential for Waco to become a destination for youth sports, including basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer, and football. He also wanted to utilize the city's natural resources, such as Cameron Park and the Brazos River, for activities like trail runs, Frisbee golf tournaments, mountain biking, and rowing. Phipps emphasized the importance of a multi-use sports complex and the ability to attract a variety of youth events due to Waco's central location.
The Commission has partnered with local teams and organizations and offers event support, such as volunteers, hotel partnerships, and local resource access. They also plan to launch a website, WACOSPORTS.ORG, to provide information and opportunities for community members to get involved. The Commission is committed to making Waco a premier sports destination and enhancing the local community.
Phipps also discussed the economic impact of sports events in Waco and how they measure it. He mentioned partnering with a former Baylor economics professor, Dr. Tom Kelly, to develop an Excel spreadsheet that considers factors such as the number of visitors, outcomes, and community impact to determine the value and return on investment of each event. Additionally, Phipps highlighted the challenge of coordinating with Extraco, which brings in $45 million in economic impact through its events, without displacing their schedule.
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Phipps' vision for Waco
Will Phipps, a name familiar to Baylor basketball fans, moved to Waco in 2015 with his wife, Lauren, and their two daughters, Laney and Riley. Phipps, who is the first executive director of the Greater Waco Sports Commission, has a clear vision for Waco and its potential as a sports destination.
Phipps recognizes the city's geographic centrality, with 18 million people living within a three-hour driving distance, making it an ideal location for sports events. He aims to attract new sporting events to Waco while retaining existing ones, with a focus on a variety of sports, including basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer, and football. Phipps also wants to utilize the natural resources of the city, such as Cameron Park and the Brazos River, for activities like trail runs, mountain biking, and rowing.
To achieve his vision, Phipps plans to network with individuals experienced in youth sports and seeks to engage the community through volunteering. He emphasizes the importance of identifying areas where Waco can attract more events and maximize its potential. Additionally, Phipps acknowledges the need for more hotel rooms to accommodate the increasing demand and the high hotel occupancy rate in the city.
Phipps' ultimate goal is to make Waco the preferred sports destination in the state, generating a positive economic impact and enhancing the quality of life in McLennan County. He believes in the power of sports to bring positive energy and connection within the community, and his work reflects his passion for sports and his competitive nature.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Phipps is the first executive director and president of the Greater Waco Sports Commission. He is a Baylor graduate and a familiar name to Baylor basketball fans.
Will Phipps approached Baylor coach Matt Driscoll and told him that he wanted to get into coaching. His initial experience was at Baylor as a student coach under men's basketball head coach Scott Drew. His brother Turner was also a walk-on basketball player for Baylor.
After graduating from Baylor, Will Phipps joined Georgia Tech's college basketball staff under Paul Hewitt. However, his stint there was short-lived as Hewitt was fired two years later. He then moved to Valparaiso University in Indiana, where he worked for four years under Bryce Drew, the brother of Scott Drew.
Will Phipps returned to Waco, Texas, due to a sense of longing for his home state and a desire to raise his children closer to their families. He was also attracted by the positive changes and energy he observed in Waco, which he learned about from his younger brother who had graduated from Baylor and remained in the city.
Will Phipps envisions Waco as a destination for youth sports, including basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, soccer, and football. He aims to attract various sporting events and tournaments to the city, utilizing its central location and natural resources like Cameron Park and the Brazos River. He also wants to develop a multi-use sports complex and bring more events to Waco in a unified manner through his work with the Greater Waco Sports Commission.
