MSSU Athletics Hall of Fame
Coach Lipira took over the MSSC softball program in 1982 and within the first eight years led the Lady Lions to four top-ten national finishes in the NAIA, four NAIA district 16 championships, and two district 16 runner-up finishes. In their first season as an NCAA Division II member, Coach Lipira led the Lady Lions to a fourth place finish as the team went 36-9 while winning both the MIAA Championship and sweeping through the Midwest Regional. Two years later, in only their third season at the NCAA DII level, Coach Lipira would lead the Lady Lions to the top of the NCAA DII as they went 50-7. During that 1992 season, the Lions swept the MIAA Championship, the Midwest Regional, and the NCAA Nationals. Their last loss of that season was back on April 21, winning their final 11 games to claim the championship. During that undefeated run, the team outscored their opponents 54-10. In total, Lipira helped the team to four MIAA Championships, six NCAA Tournament appearances, two NCAA Regional Championships, and the 1992 NCAA National Championship.
Over her 18 years coaching the Lion Softball team, Lipira compiled a 632-275 record (29th in NCAA history) for a .697 winning percentage (18th in NCAA history). She was named the MIAA Coach of the Year five times, Region Coach of the Year twice, and National Coach of the Year once. Additionally, Lipira coached the Missouri Southern volleyball team for seven seasons, collecting another 265 wins. She retired from coaching in 2000.Â
She served the university as Vice President of Academic Affairs for the 2013-14 and 14-15 school years. Prior to serving as VPAA, Lipira was the interim Dean of Education and head of the Kinesiology department at Southern.
