[301] 'Coach' Pledges $1 Million To Promote Education In Rutherford County, Enhance MTSU Women's Basketball Program

Feb. 4, 2011
Contact: Tom Tozer, 615-898-2919; 615-653-6209

‘COACH’ PLEDGES $1 MILLION TO PROMOTE EDUCATION IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY, ENHANCE MTSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM

MURFREESBORO—Ken “Coach” Shipp, a 1947 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and namesake of the Ken Shipp Endowed Scholarship at MTSU, has made a commitment of $1 million to his alma mater through the MTSU Foundation. A formal presentation of the gift took place during halftime of Saturday afternoon’s basketball game between MTSU and South Alabama.
A significant portion of the funds will further enhance the endowed scholarship that Shipp established in 2009 to benefit students in Rutherford County who commit to enrolling at MTSU. The remainder of the gift will be earmarked for the renovation of the coaches’ office space in Murphy Center for the Lady Raiders basketball program.
Shipp, who just celebrated his 83rd birthday, said he had been thinking about making a pledge of this kind for a long time.
“I mainly wanted to help those who need the money to have the opportunity to go to MTSU,” he said in a phone conversation. Regarding his support of MTSU women’s basketball, he added, “I’m proud of the team and the coach.”
“Ken Shipp’s gift to this university reflects his long-standing support and devotion to both athletics and academic achievement,” MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said. “His generosity will make it possible for us to provide the finest athletic facilities for our coaches and also offer the opportunity of a college education to students here at home in Rutherford County. When we can challenge our young people to pursue learning at an even higher level, our state and nation are the beneficiaries. We are grateful to alumnus Ken Shipp, whose success as a person and a professional will serve as an example to thousands of MTSU students in years to come.”
Shipp’s endowed scholarship at MTSU has already opened the door to college for Rutherford County students, said Joe Bales, MTSU vice president for development and university relations.
“’Coach,’ as everyone calls him, wanted to make sure that money was not the determining factor in whether or not students with promise and potential were able to go on to school,” Bales noted. “He wanted to make sure that opportunity was available.
“Coach is also very fond of our Lady Raiders program and very excited about what has happened with the program over the last several years,” Bales added. “He just wanted to help them have an office space that is reflective of the quality program they have.”
Chris Massaro, MTSU athletic director, emphasized Shipp’s far-reaching influence.
“This gift will make a tremendous difference for our women’s basketball program,” Massaro said. “This is typical of Coach Shipp. His whole career he has always put the needs of others above his own, and this gift exemplifies that quality of his character. This will be an invaluable legacy for generations to come.”
An entire section of the ground floor of Murphy Center will be opened up to accommodate a large office complex for the women’s basketball coaches, Bales said. Dividing walls will come down, and the area will be transformed into an office suite “that will put our program on par with any coaching program in the country.
“When recruits come in, they will see really nice facilities for the players,” Bales said, “and the coaches will be right next door. The coaches will be all together instead of in separate offices.”
Renovation will begin after this basketball season, and the new space will be operational by next fall, Bales noted.
Shipp was born in 1928 in Old Hickory, Tenn. He was an assistant coach in the National Football League and during the 1975 season was interim coach of the New York Jets. He has coached both Archie Manning and Joe Namath. During his stint with the New Orleans Saints, Manning described him as “a smart man and a good coach.” Before working in the NFL, Shipp coached in several college programs including Trinity, Florida State, Tulsa, South Carolina and Miami. In addition to earning his undergraduate degree in physical education at MTSU, Shipp received a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.
“Coach is an extremely generous person in a very quiet way,” Bales said. “He’s never asked for the limelight, which makes him the kind of person you like to recognize. Most people would not realize how many people, especially young people, who coach has impacted in Rutherford County. We’re delighted and grateful that he has chosen to give this gift.”

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NOTE: Rendering of renovated office space included. Photo to come tomorrow afternoon.