Kip Sowpel
Coach - Girls Ice Hockey
Class of 1972

Kip Sowpel had a passion for hockey, playing in the Hartford Amateur league in the late sixties and early seventies. As SHS did not have a boys hockey team until the fall of 1972, Kip played junior hockey before attending Nichols College, where he played varsity for four years. After college he returned to Simsbury and continued to play in local leagues. Looking for a way to put his hockey experience to good use, Kip came up with an idea. How about a girls hockey team at SHS? In 1985 Kip approached the SHS AD with his plans. Finding and funding equipment and ice time were just a few of the challenges. As there were no girls youth programs, would there be enough interest? Even if he could field a team, who would they play? There were only three other girl’s high school teams in New England, none of which were in Connecticut. Kip took the challenge head on, receiving critical support from the Simsbury High School Athletic program, as well as the boy’s hockey coach. Parents joined in with their daughters and the program was energized. Kip had his eyes set on growing a program that would be filled with girls who may have played youth hockey or have advanced from a junior varsity team. He knew success depended on the girls having fun with the sport as well as with each other.

In the fall of 1987, the team took to the ice for the first time. Early on there may have been shortages of equipment, ice time and competition but there was no shortage of commitment on Kip’s part. The team rallied around Kip and each other, enjoying their first ever hockey practices and the few games they had as they traveled throughout New England enjoying time with each other and enhancing team spirit. Kip moved to Boston but still commuted to Simsbury almost daily during the hockey season. Fortunately, he was able to attract the support of capable assistant coaches who initially volunteered their time as well. With these assistant coaches in place and interest high, Kip was able to start a JV program, nearly doubling the number of girls who could now enjoy high school hockey.

Over time, other Connecticut towns would show interest in forming girls’ programs, but none would get very far before contacting Kip. He had blazed the trail and was eager to help other coaches. He recognized that having more teams would ultimately benefit the SHS program. Now there are girl’s leagues and tournaments and a far greater number of girls playing youth hockey. Because he decided to share his love of hockey with the girls athletes in Simsbury beginning in the 1980’s Kip has had a significant impact on not only Simsbury High School athletics but the sport of hockey as well. His hockey players learned how to win, how to lose, and how to play as a team and they share these life lessons with their children. Kip has made a lasting contribution for many.