Shawn Johnson-Hipp

Shawn Johnson-Hipp begins her third year at the helm of the women’s track and field program and as an assistant coach with the men's program.  In her first year back at the helm, the Pipers had their best finish in nearly two decades.

In 2007, Johnson-Hipp returned for her second stint as head coach of the Hamline women’s track and field team.  She was Hamline’s first full-time head track & field coach from 1983-1996, and also was the head women’s cross country coach from 1983-2000. 

During the 2007 season, Johnson-Hipp led the Pipers to a sixth place finish at the outdoor MIAC Championship meet.  The Pipers were led by senior heptathlete Dana Luiken and senior thrower Amanda Jones.  Both won their respective events at the outdoor MIAC Championships, while Luiken added yet another MIAC title to her resume during the indoor MIAC Championships in the pentathlon, just missing the MIAC record in the event.

Hamline broke seven school records during the 2007 indoor and outdoor seasons.  Luiken was a force, breaking four school records all on her own.  She set new marks in events she previously held, the pentathlon and heptathlon and went on to also set new marks in the 100 meter and 55 meter hurdle races.  The 55 meter hurdle record was 23 years old while the 100 meter hurdle record was 9 years old. 

Other school records included Nicole Brohmer’s new mark in the 200 meter dash, Katie Davis’ jump in the pole vault, and the 4x100 meter relay.

One of the main highlights of the year came with the emergence of Amanda Jones.  The senior broke onto the scene in a big way with a huge win at the MIAC Championship meet, earning her first conference title.  Jones' throw of 170-9 broke the previous MIAC record by ten feet, bettered her previous provisional qualifying mark, and was good enough for a MIAC title.  Jones outdistanced the nearest competitor by 17 feet. The toss qualified Jones for her first trip to the NCAA Championship meet in the hammer where she went onto qualify for the final and finish ninth in the nation.

Early in her career in 1983, during Johnson-Hipp's first season, she inherited a track and field team that finished eighth in the MIAC. Four years later, the squad improved three spots to finish fifth overall. Three of her Hamline teams finished fifth in the conference - the best finish for a Hamline women's track and field team. She coached 12 provisional and national qualifiers, five All-Americans and two national champions throughout her coaching years.  Her teams also received All-Academic recognition from the NCAA Division III Coaches Association.  In cross country, the Pipers improved from last to fourth in one season, finishing fourth in both 1984 and 1985.

Although she took a break from coaching the collegiate ranks in 2000, she stayed involved as a track coach for her sons’ teams throughout their junior and senior high years.  Most recently she was an assistant track coach at Totino-Grace High School where she mainly worked with sprinters, hurdlers and relay personnel.  During this time, she also continued to work with the teacher preparation program in physical education.

As an athlete, Johnson-Hipp was a five-time state champion in various hurdle events between her high school and college careers.  After receiving her bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Minnesota State in 1980, she landed a teaching and coaching assistantship at the University of Nebraska-Omaha.  When she finished her master’s degree in exercise science from UNO in 1983, she accepted a teaching and coaching job at Hamline in 1983.

Johnson-Hipp holds Level II  USA Track and Field Coaching Education certifications in three different areas:  Sprint & Hurdles, Distance Events, and Jumps.  She currently works with sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers.  She resides in Saint Paul, Minn. with her husband Charles and her two sons, Carl and Ryan.