2013 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME MEN’S SOCCER
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Of course, if you fast-forward the timeline 18 years, that adds up to having all four Shipp children in college at the same time during the current 2013 fall semester. Harry and Michael, a pre-med student and sophomore defender on the Irish soccer team, are experiencing a special time together at Notre Dame. Abby is a sophomore business student at the University of Denver, playing non-varsity club soccer, and Sammy is in the midst of her freshman year at Vanderbilt, intending to major in organizational development and managerial studies. Lifelong residents of the Chicago suburb of Lake Forest, the Shipp siblings have experienced the various stages of their young lives in similar time frames, with Harry always the first to try certain sports, head off to school, etc. All four of the siblings were together on Sunday, Nov. 24, as the sisters were on break from their respective schools and were able to cheer on Notre Dame’s dominating 4-0 win over Wisconsin in the second round of the NCAA tournament (Harry scored two of the goals). “We took being together for granted over the years, but it’s harder now that we are going to three different colleges that are not in close proximity,” notes Harry. “It’s always been nice for me and my siblings to experience the same stages of life at the same time. We grew up together and I always have had the three of them to talk to about things I’m going through. It’s interesting that we’re actually closer now, even though we see each other less. Moments together are so rare, we appreciate them more when do get to have family time.” Harry says he shares Abby’s calm demeanor and ability to seemingly “never get rattled,” while he and Michael obviously have a big tie through soccer, academics and Notre Dame. Like most youngest children in bigger families, Sammy is the most outgoing - “she probably talks more than the three other siblings combined,” grins Harry. “Sammy is incredibly smart and we have the same sense of humor. We always laugh at each other’s jokes. She also is the only one of us four who is not into soccer, probably because she got dragged to so many of her older siblings’ soccer tournaments growing up.”
SIBLING RIVALRY … BROTHERLY BOND
challenges he faced in this newfound independence.
Harry and Michael Shipp spent two years playing together at Lake Forest High School, followed, of course, by these past two seasons as teammates at Notre Dame. Michael was a high-scoring forward at Lake Forest, but he has converted to the defense at Notre Dame, where an injury limited his production this season
“I’ve always looked up to Harry as a soccer player. He’s been one of my role models for as long as I can remember,” says the equally proud younger brother.
“We had a great team at Lake Forest my senior year and I loved passing Michael the ball, putting him in position to score so many of those goals,” says the proud older brother, who served mostly as a midfielder during his prep days. The brothers, who shared a bedroom for 18 years, were reunited at Notre Dame in the fall of 2012, although Michael’s draw to the University was more academic-driven. As a pre-med student (technically science pre-professional), the younger Shipp brother has a significantly more demanding curriculum. “Initially, Michael was not sure if he wanted to play college soccer, because of the academic load he would be undertaking,” recalls Harry. “When he first joined the soccer team here, he seemed nervous and lacked the type of confidence I had felt when coming in as a freshman.” While Michael was adjusting to life as a collegiate student-athlete, Harry simply was adjusting to the concept of having his younger brother around. “When Michael started his freshman year, it was like he was temporarily visiting and I did not grasp that I would be seeing him every day for the next couple years,” says Harry, flashing a little grin. “He eventually settled in and got into the routine. I’m really proud of how well he is doing in soccer and of course in school. He’s definitely smarter than me. A big part of college is adjusting to the transition of living on your own, and he is doing it successfully at a great place like Notre Dame.” Some early talks with his older brother gave Michael the encouragement he needed to become more confident and comfortable with the
“I probably never would have started playing soccer if Harry didn’t pick up the game at such a young age. I used to watch his practices and I felt like I was missing out. He always worked so much harder than everyone to get better. It’s been 15-plus years and he still inspires everyone around him to work harder.” A running joke among the Shipp family members - but also within the Notre Dame men’s soccer program - revolves around one question: which brother is smarter, Harry or Michael (who nailed a 4.0 GPA during his freshman year)? “It’s funny, in elementary and middle school Michael struggled a little bit academically, not wanting to do the work, and I was one who did a little bit better in school,” recalls Harry. “But when we got to high school, it was flipped and Michael always was the one going above and beyond. And now it’s the same here at Notre Dame. I’m not quite as good as Michael in the academic realm, but I don’t think my parents can complain too much.” During the recruiting process over the past few years, the Notre Dame coaching staff naturally developed a close relationship with the Shipp family. “As a recruit, Harry was an easy admit, but according to his parents, he was the athlete in the family,” recalls Notre Dame associate head coach B.J. Craig, chuckling at the memory. “His brother Michael, we were told by the parents, he was the student. “As coaches, we had to laugh when Harry received a 4.0 semester GPA for his marks. Although Michael had the last laugh when he edged Harry by a point or two last semester [4.0 to 3.97]. Competition brings out the best in Harry, and he will be a success in life far beyond the soccer field.”