(From Missouri Southern Athletics)The St. Joseph Sports Commission recently announced the 2024 St. Joseph Area Sports of Hall of Fame Class, one of those members being former Missouri Southern coach Pat Lipira. She is a member of the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame, the MIAA Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
The St. Joseph Area Sports of Hall recognizes those individuals, families, teams, entities or significant feats/accomplishments that have made a significant impact on sports history in Buchanan County. Missouri Southern's legendary softball coach, Pat Lipira, was born and raised in St. Joseph, graduating from Central High School.
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.
The 2024 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony presented by Atha Bros Ag, being in held in memory and honor of the St. Joseph Sports Commissions' founder and first chairman Frank O'Malley will be held on Sunday, August 25 at Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center. Social hour presented by Ellison-Auxier Architects begins at 4 PM with the enshrinement and presentation of awards beginning at 5 PM.
