RIPON, Wis. — Ripon College is proud to announce the appointment of Philip "PJ" Senn as Head Coach of the Track & Field programs, effective June 1, 2026. Senn joins the Red Hawks after four years as Head Coach at Concordia University Wisconsin, where he helped build one of the most successful programs in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC).
"I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity," said Senn. "Ripon College is a tremendous place — the academic environment, the athletic facilities, and the opportunity it provides students to continue competing at a high level make it a truly special fit. I'm excited to build on the strong foundation that has already been established here and to keep pushing this program forward."
A Proven Track Record of Success
During his tenure at Concordia University Wisconsin, Senn worked primarily with sprints and pole vault athletes, playing a key role in their development and competitive success. On the cross country side, he was instrumental in the women's program capturing back-to-back NACC Championships in 2023 and 2024. He was also part of the coaching staff honored as the 2024 NACC Coaching Staff of the Year.
Prior to his time at Concordia, Senn served as Head Coach of both the cross country and track & field programs at Beaver Dam High School, where he spent three years as a head coach and special education teacher. Under his leadership, the Golden Beavers produced nine state qualifiers and claimed a sectional championship in girls cross country.
A Division III Athlete Who Never Left the Sport
Senn is a product of Division III athletics himself, having competed in the pole vault at the University of Dubuque, where his team won two IIAC Indoor Conference Championships. He graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Physical Education. He later earned a Master of Science in Leadership from Concordia University Wisconsin.
Building for the Future
Senn is eager to honor the work of his predecessors while charting a new chapter for the program.
"When we set out to find our next head coach, we were looking for someone who understood what makes Division III athletics special — and Coach Senn embodies that completely. His track record speaks for itself, but what truly stood out was his passion for developing student-athletes as both competitors and people. We couldn't be more excited to have him leading this program,"
Chris Schumacher, Vice President and Director of Athletics.
Senn is a passionate outdoorsman who enjoys hunting and fishing. He resides in the area with his wife, Hannah, and their two young children, Ronan and Maeve.
