Betsy Hipple, Steve Graves become CMC Alumni Association honorary members

Betsy Hipple and Steve Graves, two long-time members of the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athletics program, are now honorary members of the Claremont McKenna College Alumni Association (CMCAA). Their memberships were announced during the 2018 CMC Alumni Weekend, at a reception for alumni athletes.

Honorary life memberships in the Alumni Association are conferred upon individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to the College or the Association.

On the softball diamond, Coach Hipple led the Athena program to unprecedented heights during her 12 seasons (2006-2017) as its head coach. During her tenure, Hipple amassed 340 wins, two SCIAC Championships, four SCIAC Postseason Tournament Championships, and seven NCAA Tournament appearances.

"I was surprised and completely honored and flattered to receive the recognition," Hipple said. "At the end of the day, I was just the shepherd of an amazing Athena Softball program that's bigger than all of us."

Coach Hipple's most impactful moments came in her leadership, development, and empowerment of the young women she coached. She expected dedication and excellence from the players she coached, and the Athenas responded by winning games, landing top-notch internships and jobs, and succeeding in the classroom.

Graves joined CMS Athletics in 1992 as the head athletic trainer, and he has been a key contributor to the success of CMS teams, and the well-being of student-athletes ever since. His career philosophy has been "Love what you do. Feel like it matters. What could be more fun?"

Those ideals have shown through in his work with and dedication to CMS student-athletes and teams. He and the athletic training staff provide athletic training services to 21 CMS teams, and over 500 student-athletes per year. Graves has been 'on call' for over 25 years. He is never 'out of season.' Even when the summer months close the campus, the athletic trainers are still working with Athenas and Stags who are having or recovering from surgeries, and rehabilitating from other athletic-related injuries. Graves and the athletic training staff have assisted well over 3,000 student-athletes since he began working for CMS in 1992.

"I'm honored," Graves said. "For someone like me who has seen what CMC means to its alumni, to be considered by the Alumni Association with these other recipients is an honor."

Other CMCAA Honorary Members from CMS include William B. Arce P'80, Jodie Burton, Chris Chalian, Stephen Davis, John Goldhammer, Clifton MacLeod, Ken Scalmanini, and John Zinda.