Mr. Phipps moved to Artesia in the 8th grade and has been a NM resident since then with the exception of his college years. He started on the 1964 big school state championship football team his senior year (played in the NMHSCA all star game as well). He returned to coach in Artesia in 1971 and was named head football coach in 1974. During his tenure as head football coach, Artesia won the state championship 7 out of 10 years. His 7 state championships ranks 3rd all-time in New Mexico. He served as president of NMHSCA in 1978. Mr. Phipps became an assistant principal in 1986, principal and athletic director in 1986 and superintendent in 1992. He retired in 2012. During this time he served on the NMAA board for 13 years. He served as president of that board as well as devoting endless hours making the NMAA the organization it is today. |