RIPON, Wis. - Scott Gillespie '11 was born with a basketball in his hand, as the son of legendary Ripon College Hall of Fame coach Bob Gillespie, and grandson of another Ripon Hall of Famer, legendary coach Gordie Gillespie. Ripon High School's record holder for career points and single game points (52), Scott was able to carve out his own legacy during his four-year career with the Red Hawks men's basketball team, graduating as the program's all-time leader in points (1,871) and assists (602). His scoring output currently ranks second in school and 10th in Midwest Conference history, while his assist record still stands today and is more than 100 better than the second-highest total, while ranking second in conference history. That has helped earn Scott's own place in Ripon College's Athletics Hall of Fame where this summer, he'll join his father and grandfather as the only family with three generations to receive that distinction, in the first year that he is eligible.

"Scott grew up around Ripon College basketball and can be seen in almost every team photo from the time he was five years old until the year he graduated. He was a great scorer and I don't think his assist record will ever be broken," said Bob Gillespie. "Scott had a few Division-I offers, but decided to play for me where his extended family could see his games, which made it a very special four years for all of us."

One of just three four-time All-Conference selections in program history, Scott also earned All-Region honors three times, including once on the First Team. He ended his career in style, as he was named MWC Player of the Year in his final season, while also being selected as a First Team All-American. He also was a starter on the Red Hawks' baseball team for one season, where he again played for his Dad.

"It was a pretty special thing to be able to play for my father. It's something our family had talked about my entire life growing up and how great it would be when it happened, so I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to continue our family tradition at Ripon," Scott said. "Growing up in Ripon and being around every sport, the Ripon athletics tradition means a lot to me. Some of my favorite times as a kid came on Alumni weekend because it was very special to me to see the brotherhood that all of my Dad's former players created and hear the stories about their Ripon experience. Once I was in college, I was fortunate to create those same experiences and memories with the guys on our team."

Gillespie ranks fourth in school history for career scoring average (19.8 ppg), while also ranking third in steals (153). One of just two players in program history to score 400 or more points in all four seasons, Gillespie holds Ripon's top two single season assist marks. He finished his final two seasons ranking in the top three in all of Division-III for assists per game. He also ranked 11th in the country in scoring average as a junior (22.1 ppg). Despite those eye-popping stats, which included 13 career double-doubles and a career-high 42-point game, it's Gillespie's memories with his teammates off the court that stand out the most, 10 years after his graduation.

"I don't remember a specific game in which I scored a certain number of points or did this or that," Gillespie said. "What I do remember most is the time we spent together as a team and the fun that we had. We genuinely loved being around each other and to this day, my former teammates and I still get together regularly."

The Gillespie's are a Hall of Fame family, while also serving as a gateway to the future of Ripon College basketball, as Scott remains one of the program's biggest supporters.

"I'm extremely happy with the job (current Ripon men's basketball coach) Ryan Kane has done, not only in continuing to build tradition, but also maintaining the connection with alumni," Scott said. "It's not easy following a legend, but Coach Kane has done an amazing job of creating his own legacy for the current team, while also restoring the program's connection to the past." 

Scott was able to experience a sense of camaraderie on Ripon's baseball diamond as well, starting at second base during his freshman year. He finished that season hitting .244 with five doubles, two home runs, 17 RBI, 17 runs scored, and three stolen bases, while again playing for his father.

"Upon my Dad's retirement, many of his former players organized a retirement party led by Brad Alberts '92. It was there and the culmination of his career, where I truly saw the impact he had on so many people, as more than 60 former players drove or flew in from across the country to celebrate his career and their experiences," said Scott. "Listening to those stories and what he meant for so many people was what inspired me to want to have a similar impact on student-athletes."

That night helped influence Scott to join the family business, as he broke into coaching in 2012 as a graduate manager for the University of Memphis men's basketball team. He would then join IUPUI-Indianapolis' men's team for his first full-time coaching gig as an assistant coach in 2014. That has led him to his current position as an assistant coach for Illinois State's women's program where Gillespie's career continues to be a family affair, working alongside ISU Head Coach (and Scott's first cousin) Kristen Gillespie.

"Scott is a true student of the game and has one of the best young coaching minds in the country," Kristen Gillespie said. "His knack for recruiting and skill development will pay huge dividends for us, and his passion for the game is contagious."


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