Marvin Rippy interview, 1994 November 23, 1994 November 23

Marvin Rippy, a classroom technologist, basketball coach, and recreation supervisor at FIT, graduated from the school in 1967. Though he majored in Textile Administration and Sales, physical education was always his first love. Rippy discusses his start as the assistant basketball coach to Raoul Nacinovich in 1971 and how he took on the mantle of head coach in 1973. He discusses the competitive recruiting push that followed shortly thereafter. At the time of this interview, the team was competitive on a national scale, so Rippy had to expand his team of assistant coaches to meet the team’s needs. He mentions prominent alums who’ve been drafted by the NBA and received full-ride scholarships to 4-year universities, and talks about how they keep in touch with alumni via annual games. He notes that there have been many changes at FIT since he began teaching and laments that it feels less personal due to its growth. Rippy then talks about funding and the team’s national travel. For many students, it is their first time on a plane and Rippy emphasizes the positive impact travel can have on his students’ ambitions. He talks extensively of his respect for student athletes, and details the struggles that many of them have to go through to make ends meet. He wishes there was more administrative and faculty support and would love for FIT to create more scholarships to aid his students. The interview ends with further discussion of his own experience, running to and from FIT to avoid gang activity and how FIT basketball has created a positive and safe environment for so many.