Eau Claire North Girls Basketball

1998-99 GIRL'S BASKETBALL RECAPS

July 15, 1999

Sippel steps in at North

Former assistant to guide girls program

Eau Claire North had some large hightops to fill when Chico LaBarbera announced he was stepping down as girls basketball coach June 14.

Coach Sippel

LaBarbera took over a program in 1987 that had gone 5-56 over the three previous seasons. His tenure included back-to-back Big Rivers Conference titles, and the Huskies were 18-4 last year before a suffering a 56-40 upset loss to Menomonie in a WIAA Division 1 sectional semifinal.

Dan Sippel, 52, who has served as an assistant coach at North in softball, football and basketball over the past eight years, was formally announced as head coach in a school board session Monday night.

"It was a great learning experience," Sippel said of coaching under LaBarbera. "We’ve had a lot of success and a lot of good athletes have come through."

"I think any time you’ve got somebody coaching who puts forth the time and effort Chico’s put in, you’re always happy to have somebody who will continue to do that," North athletic director Dave Turner said. "Dan is that kind of person."

Sippel, who works in campus security at North, must deal with several key losses to graduation. A bumper crop of talented athletes returns, however, which is a must to succeed in the perennially strong Big Rivers Conference.

"The conference is going to be tough this year, but we’ve got some really good athletes," Sippel said. "They’re also great students and great people, so they’re more than just good basketball players.

"Waiting is frustrating. It’s like getting a new boat in the winter because you can’t do anything. But I’m looking forward to it."

Although he’s a 1964 Chippewa Falls High School graduate who played basketball for the Cardinals, Sippel said his allegiance lies with North.

"He’s been a Husky football, basketball and softball coach," Turner said. "So he doesn’t have a lot of time to think about Chippewa Falls."

Marlaire can be reached at 833-9212 or (800) 236-7077.