Riptide was founded in 2000, by Ripon resident Kim Shady. In its first year, Riptide had a single team with seven athletes from the city of Ripon. Kim led the club for eleven years, and continued to expand its reach. During his tenure as director, Riptide grew from it's first team of seven athletes to now serve approximately 80 athletes from a number of neighboring communities each year! Riptide has expanded to now serve athletes from the communities of Ripon, Berlin, Green Lake, Rosendale, Waupun, Omro, Oshkosh, Neenah, Wild Rose, and more!
In Kim's final year, he created a scholarship fund. Each year, Riptide offers a scholarship to a graduating high school senior from Ripon High School and Berlin High School to help cover the costs of continuing education for a former member of Riptide Volleyball Club. I am proud to announce that Riptide VBC will rename this scholarship beginning with the 2012 recipient. The scholarship will now be known as, Kim Shady Scholarship Fund. The club, its coaches and staff, and the athletes it has served appreciate the commitment and dedication Kim has shown to the community through Riptide and are happy to see that legacy continue through this scholarship fund.
Kim resigned at the end of the 2010 season, and was replaced as club director by Craig Madson. Craig hopes to continue the tradition of community partnership and youth development that Kim established during his eleven years with Riptide. The club will continue to focus on hiring talented coaches who can teach both the athletic and team skills necessary to succeed in volleyball, as well as the personal skills that help our athletes excel in the classroom and the community.