Mr. Phipps has been a physical education teacher at Elmore Stoutt High School for more than 13 years. He recently coached the Bayside Blazers to a championship in the Julian Fraser Save the Seed League. He also played basketball and volleyball for the Virgin Islands and is an organiser for the Biddy Basketball youth league.
I took the junior college route first. I went to Clinton Community College and played two years there, and then I went off to Ashford University in Iowa.
What were some of your accolades playing basketball?
I was honourable mention my freshman year and then my sophomore year I was pre-season All American and then I was All American. I played centre and power forward.
What other sports have you played?
At an early age I played soccer and cricket. But volleyball is my first love. Because of certain situations, I didn’t get to play at the level I wanted to.
Are you currently playing in the volleyball league?
No. I am actually retired from all sports.
Why is that?
Injuries. I had an injury my sophomore year and it has always been bothering me. So I gave it all up about two years ago.
Now you’re the coach of the Bayside Blazers. Is this the first time you have coached a basketball team?
Yes, but I have coached volleyball at junior college.
What are the challenges of coaching?
One of the things I have found hard is that you expect certain things coming from being a player. There are a lot of teaching moments for me. It can be tedious. I stop practice a lot just to teach some of the players. But I think it is a plus if you have played before. It has helped me being a player.
Which do you like better: coaching or playing?
Playing. When you are playing and facing competition, it is all on you as a player. It is very personal.
Will you be coaching the Bayside Blazers again?
Yes.
Any pressure now that you have a championship title to defend?
Obviously, it is a lot more pressure because we are defending the championship. The way our organisation runs is that we have an owner — also manager, coaches and assistant coaches. There are certain expectations. I am held accountable for certain things. It is a lot of pressure. But because of the structure we have, I think we will always be successful.
How’s the team looking for this year’s league?
We are going after a few new players. With any organisation you look at where you were and how you can get better. We will be competing in [several] leagues.
How has sports changed in the territory over the last 10 years?
One negative is the parents’ involvement. The parents’ support needs to be a lot better. Back in my day, my mom was always there. She always encouraged me to get out and play. The positives are the opportunities athletes have now. There are programmes and camps. We didn’t really have that. We taught ourselves.
When you were growing up playing sports, who was your inspiration?
Obviously, my mom, but there were a few guys. Domestically, it was David Archer. He was very instrumental in making sure that I didn’t fall to the wayside. Roy Garraway was also very instrumental. These guys were like second dads to me. I had a strong supporting cast.
What advice would you give a young athlete?
My advice would be the same advice David Archer gave me. He said, “Listen, there are two people you can be in life: You can be unsuccessful or successful.” What you do in life will determine where you are going to fall in those two areas.
Do you think you have become a role model for the youth?
I certainly hope so, even if it is one or two. I hope there is someone who is seeing the right things I am doing and looking at it as a positive way to pattern their lives from. Basketball has been good to me. If I can give back, I try to.
Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Todd VanSickle.
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