[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 132 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H9164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A TRIBUTE TO WAYZATA HEAD FOOTBALL COACH ROGER LIPELT UPON HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a Minnesotan 
who represents the greatness and goodness that is America. I rise today 
to pay tribute to one of our State's top teachers and coaches who 
personifies Minnesota values. I rise today to pay tribute to my good 
friend of some 20 years, Coach Roger Lipelt of Wayzata High School.
  Roger Lipelt, the highly successful head coach and outstanding 
teacher at Wayzata the past 22 seasons, is retiring this year after a 
legendary career. Under Coach Lipelt, the Wayzata Football Trojans have 
won 204 games and 11 conference championships. His boys' tennis team 
won a State title several years ago.
  Coach Roger Lipelt has received countless honors during his brilliant 
coaching career: Coach of the Year, Head Coach of the Minnesota All-
Star Football Team, Hall of Fame selection by his alma mater, Hamline 
University, to name just a few.
  Despite all the attention this legendary coach has drawn, if a 
stranger walks up to Roger Lipelt and asks him what he does, he will 
most likely say, ``I am mainly a social studies teacher.''
  Yes, teaching is what Roger Lipelt is mainly about. Roger has taught 
all of his students and his athletes many valuable lessons about life, 
about winning and losing, about family and faith, about love of country 
and community, and about how to treat other people.
  Through his inspirational leadership and by his example, Roger Lipelt 
has profoundly affected the lives of countless young people, and shown 
them the way to lead healthy and productive lives. Never give up on 
yourself, Roger Lipelt tells his students and his athletes. For 22 
years, Roger's spirited coaching has made the Wayzata Football Trojans 
one of the most consistently successful football teams in the State of 
Minnesota, season after season.
  Mr. Speaker, I have known Roger Lipelt, I am grateful to say, for two 
decades. I could tell the Members firsthand the power and the guidance 
he has brought to so many young people's lives. He has been a member 
for many years of a small Bible study group that I am part of. We meet 
every Saturday at a local restaurant in Wayzata. Members of our 
Saturday morning group have been truly blessed by Roger's friendship 
and his faith.
  Above all, Roger Lipelt's life is about faith, family, and friends. 
Roger's love for his family is an inspiration to all of us who know 
him. Roger's wonderful wife, Jo, and their daughters Heidi, Heather, 
and Holly, have been Roger's biggest boosters, and have shown all of us 
the true meaning and the importance of family.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all those people whose lives Roger Lipelt 
has touched through the years, I am honored to stand here today to pay 
tribute to our Wayzata hero on his well-deserved retirement. We wish 
Roger and Jo Lipelt many more years of happiness together.
  Congratulations, Coach, on a great career, and thanks for all the 
memories. Thanks, also, Coach, for putting the ball in the air.

                          ____________________