Stacey Rippetoe

Biography

Stacey Rippetoe, just the fourth rowing coach in Spartan program history, returned to East Lansing in the summer of 2023. She is spearheading the most recent upward trend in the rowing program, as the recently expanded Big Ten Conference has become one of the fastest, most competitive leagues in the country in the sport. Seven Big Ten teams – including the Spartans – began the 2026 season in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) national poll. In 2025, Rippetoe guided Michigan State's varsity eight into the Grand Final of both the Women's Sprints and Big Ten Championship regattas, finishing fifth at Big Tens, its highest finish since 2014. The second eight missed the Grand Final by two-tenths of a second and earned redemption with a win in the Petite Final, and the third eight – comprised of all novice rowers – also advanced into the Grand Final, taking fifth place. Five of her athletes have earned All-Big Ten honors over the last two seasons. In 2025, Sabrina Gottschalk was a First Team selection, while Maddie Kieft and Ugne Rudaityte earned Second Team honors. The three All-Big Ten selections were the most for MSU in a single year since 2011. In addition, 34 athletes have earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors, which recognize athletes with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or better during the academic year. Rippetoe previously spent eight seasons on the Michigan State rowing staff (2000-08). During her time at MSU, Rippetoe spent her first six years as an assistant