Hipps Doubles Up on Lacrosse Titles at Duke
As a two-sport standout at Highland Park High School, Chris Hipps had a choice to make.
After winning his second national title as a starter on the lacrosse team at Duke University, Hipps is convinced he made the right one.
The Blue Devils earned their second consecutive crown with an 11-9 win over Notre Dame on May 26 in Baltimore, allowing Hipps and his senior teammates to end their college careers on a winning note.
“The second one was definitely different from the first,” Hipps said. “It was a group of seniors who had been playing together for four years. Getting the weight off our shoulders to succeed and do it again was more relieving.”
He finished with two goals in his four-year career, but more importantly, has been one of the top defenders in the ACC. He also graduated with a history degree in May.
Hipps was a four-year starter on defense for Duke after a stellar high-school career at Highland Park, when he helped the Scots take back-to-back state titles in 2009 and 2010.
He turned down some Division I scholarship offers in football as a wide receiver. Hipps said he originally wanted to play both sports at Duke, but decided against it after seeing a chance to start immediately on the lacrosse team.
“Lacrosse was my original passion, so I wanted to pursue that,” he said.
However, Hipps hasn’t given up his football dreams. After returning to the Park Cities, he said he hopes to play for SMU this fall as a graduate student, which means he would be able to play immediately and have one year of eligibility.
Although the details aren’t finalized yet for a possible season with the Mustangs, Hipps said he’s continuing to stay in shape. Otherwise, he’s just happy to have some time to relax.
“I’ve been working out and trying to figure everything out,” Hipps said. “I was ready to kind of go home and take it easy for a little bit. It’s nice to be back and spend time with my family.”
A professional career might also be in the works for Hipps, who was selected by the Charlotte Hounds with the 55th pick in the Major League Lacrosse draft in January. Hipps said he hopes to join the MLL franchise next season.
This story appears in the July issue of Park Cities People, on stands now.
