Science Hill High School

John Rippetoe

John Rippetoe 1966

He was All-Southern Region and All-American in football. Rippetoe also lettered in basketball, baseball and track.

A private pilot and retired Army Reserve Major, Rippetoe is Vice-President of Appalachian Environmental Resources.

Rippetoe visited Virginia Tech, Duke, Alabama and Florida.

Rippetoe was rated the state's top prospect. Tennessee coach Doug Dickey, on his way to SEC Coach of the Year, had to telegram Rippetoe to dispel speculation he was going to become the head coach at Oklahoma.  Dickey’s telegram read.

Doug Dickey (Dec. 9, 1965 Western Union Telegram): Due to unfounded rumors circulated the last few days, would like to assure you of my intentions to remain at the University of Tennessee. I could not be happier with the future prospects of our program here. We hope you will continue your present interest in Tennessee.

Dickey also congratulated Rippetoe via telegram on being named Knoxville Journal Player of the Year. Other telegrams came from Vanderbilt's Bob Patterson.

Rippetoe finished first in a meet in the shot put.

He was 8-for-13 passing for 101 yards in Orange-White game. Threw a 25-yard TD pass to Mike Price.

Rippetoe passed for 66- and 60-yard TDs to Charles Buford in a 21-6 defeat of Asheville-Lee Edwards in 1965. He also threw a 60-yard touchdown to Dennis Kerley.

Rippetoe led Hilltoppers (9-0-1) to their first undefeated season in 26 years while leading the Big Seven in total offense, completions, touchdown passes and PATs. He was the top vote-getter on the Tennessee Sports Writers All-State team.

He passed for 1,034 yards, rushed for 283 yards and averaged better than 35 yards per punt.