Jen Whipple begins her first season as an assistant coach at Indiana State after serving time as both a student-athlete and an assistant coach at the University of Toledo. Whipple spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Rockets before coming to ISU, where she will assist in all aspects of the program, including working with recruiting and working with the team's goalkeepers.
"I am extremely excited to be a part of the Sycamore women's soccer program and the new era that Coach True is ushering in," said Whipple. "I look forward to helping this program compete to be at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference. I am very thankful to Coach True for giving me this opportunity."
Last season, Whipple helped Toledo to a 6-3-2 record in Mid-American Conference play and a run to the semifinals in the postseason conference tournament. In 2008, UT won its third-consecutive MAC Tournament title and a repeat visit to the NCAAs, setting school records for most wins (16) and fewest losses (5) in a season, shutouts (12) and goals-against average (0.94). The team also established a mark with an 11-match unbeaten streak.
In 2007, the Rockets' successfully defended their league-tourney crown and secured a berth in the NCAAs. Toledo finished with a then-school record for most victories and fewest setbacks, both overall (14-6-3) and in MAC play (8-3-0). Whipple was a big factor in a Toledo defense that recorded nine shutouts, third-best in the MAC, and also set a then-school record with a 0.95 GAA.
Whipple, who has earned her United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "C" License, is a 2006 Toledo graduate with a degree in exercise science. She was a four-year starter (2003-06) at goalkeeper and placed her name in the UT records books, wrapping up her career ranked first all-time in school history in wins (28) and shutouts (16), and ranking second in saves (264). The Dublin, Ohio, native also ranks tied for 14th in shutouts and 14th in saves within the MAC. A 2006 team co-captain, Whipple led UT to its first-ever MAC Tournament title and NCAA tourney appearance. She started 65 career contests between the posts and was a 2006 second-team all-conference selection, as well as a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree.
"We are very excited to have Jen join our staff here at Indiana State," said head coach True. "Jen is coming from a great program at Toledo that she helped build up as a player and an assistant coach. Her ability to develop high-level goalkeepers and coach top-tiered teams will be a great addition to our coaching staff. We look forward to getting her involved in the new phases of Sycamore soccer."
