New coach, new season: Vail Rugby Club opens 2024 campaign against Colorado Springs on June 8
Iowa Central Community College assistant coach Joe Lippert will join the team as the new head coach later this month
Ryan Sederquist/Vail Daily
The Vail Rugby Club will enter the 2024 summer season with a new leader.
Wisconsin native Joe Lippert, an assistant coach at Iowa Central Community College, was announced as the club’s new head coach in a press release last week.
“Iowa Central Community College (ICCC) has recently turned into a funnel of some of the best college rugby players on the scene,” Vail Rugby Club president Chris Chantler stated in the release. “ICCC has produced many players that transfer and contribute to major universities, professionals and national teams. We look forward to welcoming Joe later this month.”
Lippert was the former head coach at McKendree University and Lindenwood University-Belleville, where he won the 2019 DIAA national championship in sevens. He’s also coached all-star teams in his native Wisconsin and worked with the Midwest Thunderbirds.
Lippert said he’s driven through the valley many times “on long trips through the years” and always thought it would be a “great place to visit or live in at some point.” This winter, a former college athlete of his, Reece Smith, reached out regarding the Vail Rugby Club’s (RFC) search for a new head coach.
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“I had sent college players to play for Vail in the past and all had tremendously positive experiences,” Lippert said. “Between the history of the club, the incredible location and the positive impression I got talking to club leadership, I was eager to discuss this opportunity with my wife Grace. We both were (and still are) excited for the summer.”
The team has also reached out to Diego Fortuny to join the team again this summer as a forwards coach, Chantler said. Fortuny is currently playing professionally for the American Raptors in Denver. “Last summer, Diego had a great impact as player for the team,” Cantler said. “We are excited to have him in a coaching role.”
Chantler said the Vail RFC plans to “go back to more of an academy environment,” recruiting players from NCAA DI and DII programs.
“The focus of the club is to offer top-level coaching in a competitive environment to help players find the next level in the sport of rugby,” he stated. “In the past, this program produced players that went on to Major League Rugby and to the U.S. national team.”
Lippert said he’s looking forward to building a positive team culture around a “great core of local players who know how to play the game right and are proud club members” as well as a “top-notch class of college players and fresh graduates here for the summer.”
“Overall, it’s a potent mix of fresh, young talent and wily veterans,” he said regarding the roster. “We want to focus on togetherness, accountability, treating each other well and representing the club right in the community.”
The new coach listed multiple goals coming into the season.
“Solidify the local playing group for the long term, lay the cultural foundation for years to come, represent the club with honor in the community and add to the skill sets of every player,” he said before adding one final target.
“Beat Aspen.”
“(I want to) send our summer players back to their home clubs as better players who feel like they have a home with Vail Rugby for the rest of their lives,” he continued. “My wife and I are excited for the opportunity and looking forward to a great summer. Big thanks to everyone with Vail RFC for entrusting me with the next phase of this storied club’s future.”
Chantler said new and experienced players are welcome to join the team. Practices are Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the Vail Athletic Fields. For more information contact Chris Chantler at (970) 393-3062 or via email at Chris@vailcoffee.com.
