Shawn Lipman

Shawn Lipman
Date of birth 25 September 1964
Place of birth Johannesburg
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Flanker
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1988–91  United States 9
Shawn Lipman
Medal record
Competitor for USA
Rugby union
Maccabiah Games
Gold 1985 Maccabiah Rugby union
Bronze 1989 Maccabiah Rugby union
Silver 1993 Maccabiah Rugby union
Gold 1997 Maccabiah Rugby union
Bronze 2009 Maccabiah Rugby union
Gold 2013 Maccabiah Rugby union
Bronze 2013 Maccabiah Rugby union

Shawn Lipman (born 25 September 1964) is an American/South African rugby union player.

He was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004,[1][2] with others such as Sandy Koufax, Mark Spitz, and Sean Green.

United States

Born on 25 September 1964, Johannesburg, Lipman was capped nine times for the United States in tests, including three 1991 Rugby World Cup games. Including non-test games, though, he has played over 20 matches.

Lipman joined Wits University Rugby Club at Under 20 level in 1983, from Sandringham High School, where he was a first team player, having received full colours in Rugby. He represented Transvaal Under 20s whilst playing at Wits and also South Africa in the Maccabiah Games in 1985. Shawn represented the United States in the 1991 Rugby World Cup. He also represented the US national team in over 20 international matches, including 9 test matches. Lipman played against some of the best national teams and players in the world, including the New Zealand All Blacks, England and France.

Lipman had a very successful run in the Maccabiah Games, having captained the US team in 1993 and 1997, and represented the US in 1989 and South Africa in 1985. He was selected as MVP of the Maccabiah Games Rugby Event in 1989, 1993, and 1997. In the Maccabiah competition, he won gold in 1985; bronze in 1989; silver in 1993 and gold in 1997.[3] Shawn was elected as the Flag Bearer for the United States delegation in 1997.

Lipman toured South Africa in 1988 with the Pacific Coast Grizzlies, playing against the top provincial teams in South Africa, including Western Province, South African Defence, Eastern Transvaal, and with notable victories against Natal, Orange Free State and Boland.

Lipman was inducted into the USA's Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004[1][2] along with some of the best professional athletes in the United States, including Mark Spitz. He earned the MVP of the Year award at the Santa Monica Rugby Club eight times and in 2006 was also inducted into that club's Hall of Fame.

In 2009 Lipman came out of retirement at the age of 44 to represent the United States at the Maccabiah Games, winning a bronze medal. This culminated a 24-year career of playing at the Maccabiah Games, winning 2 Gold Medals, 1 SIlver, and 2 Bronze Medals.

In June 2011 he was inducted into his third Sports Hall of Fame. Along with Taylor Mays of the San Francisco 49ers and Doug Gottlieb of ESPN, he was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

Maccabiah Games

Honors and biography

On 26 June 2011, he was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Fine, Jeremy (8 September 2010). "Interview with Jewish Hall of Famer Shawn Lipman | The Great Rabbino". Jewish Journal. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Jewish Sports Hall of Fame". Jewishsports.org. 28 March 2004. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  3. ↑ "A Family Reunion". Pqasb.com. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Sports Shorts". Jewish Sports Review. July–August 2011.

External links