SPRINGFIELD, MO - In a day and age when "me-first" athletes are the norm Kickapoo senior Ryan Rippee stands out for his selfless attitude.
Inside, outside, abovie the rim, Rippee can do it all on the basketball court. In fact, he's closing in on the school's all-time scoring record, needing just 14 points to tie Kyle Kirk's 5 year old record.
"It's taken a lot of hard work and dedication," said Rippee. "I've spent a lot of time at the gym."
Rippee's game has garnered him a lot of attention, but it's what he does off the court that means the most to him. Every day Rippee spends over an hour working with special needs kids.
"He's been awesome," said special education teacher Frank Tristan. "Not only does he hang out with the kids, but he teaches them. He tries to teach them and he tries to be friends with them."
"I just do something to help out and give back," said Rippee. I've been blessed with a lot. Maybe I can hopefully change someones life for the better."
"I think he provides friendship for them and spends time with them," Kickapoo head coach and Ryan's father Dick Rippee said. "And that's what friends do."
"Rippee has been working with these kids for 2 years, and his impact has been noticable.
"He's kind of changed the kids. It's funny how they kind of change the way they see things.
But the relationship works both ways.
"I've probably learned a lot more from them than they've learned from me. I look up to them a lot and if they're looking up to me that's great too, but they've taught me so much."
On the court he averages 25 points per game, but in the classroom that doesn't really matter.
"That's the beauty of it. They have no idea. I'm just another person to them and I love it."
Rippee's purpose in life is bigger than the game of basketball, and his impact will still be felt long after the shots stop falling.
"He's going to be a person long after he's a basketball player, and I like where he's at as a person," said Dick Rippee. "He's got his priorities in the right spot."
Kickapoo's Ryan Rippee is this weeks Arby's High School Athlete of the Week.
