Upper Iowa University Athletics

John Rippe received a B.A. from Upper Iowa University in 1928. In 1937, he received an L.L.D. and in 1966 a Doctorate of Law from the University of Wisconsin.

At UIU, Rippe – as one of Doc Dorman’s boys – lettered two times in football and four times in track, while earning a team captain spot in his senior year on the track team. In 1928, he was the first Peacock to win an individual Iowa Conference discus championships, establishing a new record.

Upon leaving UIU, Rippe went to Northwestern Military and Naval Academy at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he was named the football and track coach, as well as department head of Latin and Spanish. In 1937, he moved to Caledonia, Minnesota and began his career as an attorney. In 1983 his was a partner in the law firm of Rippe, Hammell and Murphy in Caledonia.

Rippe’s various community and professional activities include: past presidency of the Caledonia Commercial Club and Chamber of Commerce; member of the school board  for 26 years; past presidency of the 3rd District Houston County Bar Association; Executive Committee 3rd Judicial District Bar Association; and member of Houston County 3rd District, Minnesota, Minnesota Bar Association. He is also a present member of the UIU Board of Trustees, Director and Attorney of the Sprague National Bank of Caledonia, and member of Pi Kappa Delta.