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Lipton fired as CSF basketball coachBy AI CarlsonSports EditorEd Liplon, who proved that nice guys sometimes finish last, has been fired as basketball coach at the College of Santa Fe.CSF president Brother Cyprian Luke, acting on therecommendation of the school's athletic committee, d is missed the coach, Lipton sa id.Luke said Tuesday he would nut comment on the firing “until I’ve had a chance to talk wl;h Ed” today.According to Upton, he was discharged because of what Luke called “a morale problem that had to berNEW MEXICANSports.... --^v-r-~»■ V iresolved.” The president also reportedly said the dismissal had nothing to do with Upton's G-42 record at CSF.The firing is effective at the end of this season. Luke did not reveal when a successor w ill he chosen.Todd, Larry Kimble, Greg Pope. Todd was academically Ineligible after failing a class laughi by Upton, Kimble suspended and Pope returned home for knee surgery.Todd said he would return to regain Jils eligibility. He has slaved in Kentucky. Pope, according lo Lipton, hasLipton, 33 today, retains Ids position as chairman of expressed a desire to come back.the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department. He will also continue his teaching duties.Lipton, who will remain at CSF at least for the completion of the spring semester, staled a decision about his future could be made at anytime.He indicated he is considering leaching positions and business possibilities, but not a return la coaching. He said he is not ruling out staying at the col lege.According lo Lipton the athletic committee met several times before making its final recommendation. He said he was not invited to any of the sessions.“The athletic committee should have asked me lo come in and defend my posit Lons,” Liplon commented.*Tm really proud of Lho job you and 1 have tried to do,” Liplon told his team Tucsduy. “1 feel you’ve responded to me. I don't regret anything of my association with you..The firing comes as the Knights near the end of what is possibly their worst season ever. Last year, Upton's first, they were 3-20, the poorest record in the school's history.A win at home Friday night in the season closer would leave CSF 4-22, a slight improvement over the 1U7D-7Gcampaign.The team's chances for success were dashed at mid -season with the departure of three starters — PhillipKimble and Todd criticized Upton before leaving. They complained Lipton was loo easy-going and played everybody, regardless of ability.Some of the Knights still here echoed llwse com-rnenLs.“He didn't have any discipline,” said guard Jim Buckles.1 feci Iherc arc some guys on this icam who at their lowest prnnL are better than the re si ac their best, slated forward Kevin Neal, like Buckles a starter.Vet, we dldn'l have three games in a row where the sanie guys started, Neal continued. He picked individual players' moments of glory and put them out there for that.Neal, Buckles and forward Mike Horan, another starler, are eligible lo return next season. Neal says he will. Buckles and Horan, who has been talking wilh hometown Denver University, want lu see the new coach before deciding.Upton had spent 12 years coaching mi the high school and college level. From 1904-68 \iu was head coach at Hunter College in New York City. He also coached high school ball there and at Santa Kc Preparatory School.In Mav of 1975 Lipton replaced the retiring Bob Sweeney ai CSF. Sweeney remained ns athletic director ami si ill lioldthat position.
Newspaper Details
Santa Fe New Mexican
Santa Fe, New Mexico, US
Wed, Feb 23, 1977
Page 86
Full Page
Clipped by
Kevin N.
MD, USA 14 Aug 2020
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