The Long Lasting Impact of Coach Cip By Grayson McClure
The Sulphur Springs Wildcats basketball program has seen a plentitude of success over the last several years especially this season starting out 3-0 in district play and being ranked #11 in the state in class 4A. Coach Brandon Shaver took over the program last year and led his Wildcats to the third round and is expected to make another deep playoff run this season yet again. Shaver has done a tremendous job at taking on a prestigious program built by Clark Cipoletta and not only maintaining its strength, but putting his own identity on the program as well. Not only is Shaver a great coach, he’s an even better person who consistently spreads kindness to anyone who walks through the gym doors.
If you’re reading, you probably not only know Clark Cipoletta, but were inspired by him as well. Many view Cipoletta as an incredible coach. While that is true, to me, he’s much more than that. Coach Cip is an incredible person who happens to be a great basketball coach. As many people are aware, he led the Sulphur Springs Wildcats basketball program to a lot of success after decades of struggles and very little playoff appearances. He implemented a winning culture and since of pride in basketball that was new to the city of Sulphur Springs. He went on to have a record of 150-82 at Sulphur Springs, a state semi-finals appearance, several district championships, and much more. However, the wins are not what all mattered to Cipoletta. Coaching was way more than that. He wanted to impact every kid that walk through his gym doors.
As soon as Cipoletta took reign as the Sulphur Springs head basketball coach, you could sense a huge difference. Not necessarily in the winning aspect, but the culture was changing. I was in 7th grade when Coach Cip got promoted to head coach and I can vividly remember him texting/calling me several times a month just check up on me. He did that to countless others who he was not even coaching yet. I eventually arrived at high school and the first speech he gave in the locker room was not about winning. It was not about practice. It was not about basketball. It was about adversity. He said over and over, “Adversity is going to hit you not only the court, but in life. How are you going to handle it?” On the wall of the locker room was a big sign that said, “Consider adversity pure joy.” That’s what coaching to Coach Cip is about. It’s about helping kids learn how to consider adversity pure joy. In an interview, Cipoletta once said, “I think I’m more of a life coach than I am a basketball coach sometimes.” Yes, he wants to win. Yes, he is a basketball genius. Yes, he dreams of a state championship. But first and foremost, he yearned to plant a seed of joy and hope in every person he came across.
When I was 16 years old, Coach Cip called me into his office one day. I was prepared to go over film or to discuss various aspects of my game I needed to work on. My prediction was nowhere near what occurred. He opened the floor with telling me some of his life stories and times of adversity that he experienced. He followed his stories with, “I want you to know, if you’re going through something, you can talk to me.” I began to confide him of my struggles of depression and there he was listening. He wanted to walk with me through this journey. I was not the only person who Cip wanted to walk with them in their life. It was everyone in the locker room. Everyone in the school. He wanted to make Sulphur Springs a better place than he found it by not only implementing a successful basketball program, but to pour into each and every student and parent he came across.
When you saw Coach Cip walking around no matter where or what time it was, he was filled with energy and a huge smile present on his face. I once asked him, “How are you so happy all the time?” His response was, “Joy is contagious. Smiling is contagious. I hope my smile can bring a smile on others’ faces.” That, he did. Everyone around the town adored Cipoletta due to his genuine kindess and heart. After each game, Coach Cip’s last statement would be, “Leave this place a better place than you found it” no matter if it was a win or loss. I can confidently speak on behalf of the entire town of Sulphur Springs, that he did what he always aspired to in that he made this city a better place.
Cipoletta is now in his second season at Allen High School as the head basketball coach where they are seeing great success this season having a record of 22-6 overall and 7-0 in district play. They are currently ranked 4th in the state of Texas in the 6A class. On January 13th, Cipoletta achieved an incredible milestone especially for his age and coaching tenured by winning his 200th game as a head basketball coach. If you know Cipoletta, you know he takes very little credit for this feat. In fact, after the game, he went on to give credit to all of his players, and managers, and assistant coaches stating, “I couldn’t have done it without you.” While he is a fantastic coach, I don’t believe that is why Cipoletta has experienced so much success. It’s the fact that he has genuine care and desire to be in his players’ lives which inspire his players to buy in to his program. Players feel a trust in Cipoletta that is unlike many coaches at the high school level. Players look to Cipoletta as more than a coach, but a friend. That relationship motivates them to work hard for him. As much as the players want to win for their own pride, they want to win for Cipoletta just as much.
While Cipoletta gains much of the credit for his success, his family is a major key to the impact he has made. While I was in high school, Cipoletta spent more time with his players than he did with his own family. He would sacrifice time and energy to ensure he was there for us. Not only is Coach Cip making that sacrifice, but his family is well. While they are behind the scenes taking little of the credit, Coach Cip is quick to attribute his success all to them for the sacrifices they make by allowing him to put extensive and effort into his profession. Just as much Coach Cip impacted Sulphur Springs, his family has too.
It has been almost two years since Cipoletta coached his last basketball game for Sulphur Springs, but his footprints are still all over not only the basketball program, but the community. When Cipoletta was notified that he would the next head coach of the Allen Eagles, he called me. We had about a 30-minute conversation about this dream job for a coach and what it could mean for his career. We shared various stories over the last couple of years and discussed all the incredible players to come out of Sulphur Springs. Lastly, he was scared. He was nervous of the response from Sulphur Springs once it was announced that he would going to Allen to begin a new journey in his career. I was too. However, the outpouring of love and gratitude was put on display. While the community was saddened to see him leave, they were proud.
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They were grateful. Grateful that Cipoletta left Sulphur Springs better than he found it.
While Cipoletta leaving mady Sulphur Springs Wildcats nervous about the future, Brandon Shaver has quickly put them at ease by maintaining a winning culture and being a positive influence on the community. He is very involved in the community as well by taking over the city’s basketball league and transforming it into a 3-on-3 development league in which he’s very active in as well as his varsity players. Shaver has done an exceptional job at not only identifying the impact Cipoletta made but carrying it on and making a huge impact on the community as well. Considering this is only Shaver’s second season as the head basketball coach for the Sulphur Springs Wildcats, the future is bright.
I could write thousands of words to really justify the impact of Coach Cip, but I wanted to give others the opportunity to express their thoughts and appreciation on how he impacted themselves and the community. Below you will see comments from Sulphur Springs residents, former players, colleagues, and parents. On behalf of Sulphur Springs, thank you, Cip.
Campbell Cody: “Coach Cip was so much more than a basketball coach to many people. He was a mentor spiritually, physically, and academically. Coach Cip had a great impact on my life and I knew I could always go to him about anything or ask him for any advice. Even though I am years departed from high school, he still finds time to reach out to me to make sure I’m doing well. That goes to show the kind of man Coach Cip is and how deeply he cares for his athletes. The effect he had on our community was truly remarkable. He revived a basketball program that had never been past the second round of the playoffs in school history, to taking a team to the state semifinals. The teams Cip coached gave the community something to root for and made a culture within our basketball program that is still there to this day. Even though he is now coach at [Allen High School], the impact he left in Sulphur Springs will linger for many years to come.”
Slade Daniel: “Clark is a one of a kind coach who loves his players, teaches discipline, loves the Lord, and had a huge impact on his community. He’s not only a role model for the players on his team, but for all members of the community. He fostered an environment that emphasized the importance of values such as respect, teamwork, and humility, which created positive relationships within the community. He always displayed his love for the Lord which gave hope, inspired, and brought faith to his players and the community. He was a great source of guidance and support for the players and the SS community, helping to build a strong and more resilient community overall.”
Alexi Upton: “Clark Cipoletta impacted me a lot. It was a great friendship that we had. We collaborated every day almost. We exchanged ideas on how to run programs, practices, it was a special friendship. I cherish the moments I got to enjoy with an amazing coach! He was a mentor to me, and I am so grateful for him.”
Phillip Manning: “It’s hard to put into words how much Cip has impacted my coaching career. Every basketball season is a journey filled with ups and downs. Cip leads by example in consistently demanding a standard of excellence in every area every day. I’ve seen first-hand how this standard has directly impacted success. He has such a passion for basketball and building up his players. His drive is infectious, and his positivity impacts not only the players, but also our coaching staff, team managers, students, and the entire community. I’m proud to not just call him a colleague, but a friend as well.”
Derrick Dillon: “Most people can see the impact that Cip had on the court, most didn’t see the man outside of the gym. First and foremost, he is a man of integrity, a man of faith, and he has actions that’s more than just words. Truest and honor to call him friend.”
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Sadavia Porter: “I remember senior year when Coach Chapman left and I was very sad and worried about my senior season. Coach Cip saw and knew how it was affecting me and he was right there giving me advice, talking to me, and encouraging me through it all. He really took me under his wing when I needed it the most and it meant a lot to me. Cip has always been a great mentor and a great role model for me, his athletes, and for the community of Sulphur Springs. He is a great person on and off the court. I hope to one day be as great as a coach as he is. Thank you, Coach Cip.”
Jason and Traci Haire: “Coach Cip invested a significant amount of time and energy in the young people of Sulphur Springs. His impact has built relationships that will last a lifetime. Although basketball was an avenue to reach the kids, he made it much more personal than that. He build trust and gave each one someone to confide in. He helped take basketball in Sulphur Springs to its highest level and brought the community of Sulphur Springs together while doing so.”
Tracey Cody: “He made a personal impact on the community because he truly cared about his players and what was going on in their lives outside of basketball. He was a great influence on both of my sons and they are still good friends to this day. He was part of our family.”
Brian and Amy McClure: “It’s hard to put into words what Cip meant to Sulphur Springs. He was a man of integrity and humility who was extremely dedicated not only to winning basketball games, but to building relationships with those around him. He was always sure that the players, parents, and community were informed and involved in the basketball operations. He truly is a special person.”
Stephanie Pogue: “Coach Cip taught my family what a true basketball bond was and how it couldn’t be broken. We bought into his words because he not only talked it, but he lived it. He showed us how basketball was not just for those players but for us too. Because of love for the game and constant care for families, we are family forever.”
Bailey Dorner: “Clark Cipoletta was always upbeat and positive and was willing to help out if I ever needed it. His attitude rubbed off on other people for the better.”
Dylan Jester: “Coach Cip truly changed my life and helped me find my purpose. I know for me and many others, he showed us what it took to be the best version of ourselves. He impacted the community by showing us when we’re TOGETHER, we can be great and accomplish great things. He brought the community of SS closer.”
Sadadriene Hall: “Cip impacted so many people in the community with his kind personality and his willingness to help others and always lead and try to support others to be better and successful. Coach Cip impacted my life by his character and motivating me to reach all of my goals in life. He impacted every single athlete because he always treated everyone equally and ensured they felt loved.”
Submitted by: Grayson McClure
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