University of Rhode Island

Stacey Rippetoe joined the Rhode Island coaching staff in August of 2019 an assistant coach with the Rams. Since then, she has helped the Rams capture a pair of Atlantic 10 titles in both 2021 and 2022.

Rippetoe came to URI after two seasons as an assistant coach with Wellesley. Before that, she was the head coach at Boston University, where Rippetoe was with the Terriers from 2008 until 2017. She twice led BU to the NCAA Championship, doing so in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014. A three-time conference Coach of the Year, Rippetoe was the CAA Coach of the Year in 2013, and the Patriot League Coach of the Year in both 2014 and 2016. While at Boston University, she also started the school's lightweight rowing program.

This will be Rippetoe's second stint at Rhode Island. She was an assistant coach with the Rams for three seasons as the novice coach from 1999-2001. Rippetoe also gained coaching experience as the associate coach of the Narragansett Boat Club during the summers of 1999 and 2000, and she served as head coach of Navesink River Rowing from 1997-1998 as well.

From Rhode Island, she joined the staff at Michigan State, where she spent eight seasons, including two as the associate head coach. While there, she helped guide the Spartas to two Big Ten Championships and a program-best sixth-place team points finish at the 2008 NCAA Championships regatta. Michigan State qualified to race in the NCAA Championships in seven of the eight years Rippetoe was there. She was the 2007 CRCA Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

While at Michigan State, Rippetoe launched the "We Can Row" program. Based on the "Row as One" camp in Boston, the program teaches breast cancer survivors how to row. The program is also a study to measure the value of exercise in breast cancer survivors. Lansing's chapter of "We Can Row" is home to the Pink Ribbon Crew team.

She brought the program to Boston University, working with the Pink Ribbon Crew to emphasize goals that are centered on self-image enhancement and team support for women who are making the transition from being patients to being survivors. The focus is on developing a strong and healthy body, becoming an active participant in one's recovery from breast cancer, asserting control over one's body, rediscovering the joy of movement and playing a fundamental part in a mutually empowering recovery team.

An Oakhurst, N.J., native, Rippetoe earned her bachelor's degree in biological sciences in 1997 from Rutgers University, where she and teammate/current Associate Head Coach Jessica Lizzi finished sixth at the inaugural NCAA Championship. She earned her master's degree in kinesiology, with an emphasis in sports psychology, from Michigan State in 2006.

updated: 5/30/23