Murray State University Athletics
Football Signee Lipsey A Fighter From The Beginning
2/7/2007 11:00:00 PM | Football
The following article appeared in the Jan. 30, 2007 edition of the Community Press.
By Kyle Burch
SYMMES TWP. - It was apparent from birth that Caleb Lipsey is a fighter.
Immediately following his birth 18 years ago Lipsey was forced to fight to stay alive. He scored a two on the APGAR test, which is the first test given to newborns to quickly evaluate their physical condition. Considering a baby who scores a seven or above is in good health, Lipsey had some fighting to do.
Five minutes later and with the help of some oxygen, his score improved to a three. That was only the beginning of his battle.
"He was such a big baby, we didn't really think anything was wrong with him," said Lipsey's mother, Joni Lipsey. "He was technically born lifeless."
Lipsey's problems at birth led to some developmental problems later in life. The lack of oxygen left him with a condition known as amblyopia, which is when vision is weakened in one or both eyes. That condition caused him to lose virtually all sight in his left eye.
He also was deemed learning impaired - something that was evident to his mother when he was a young child in the Kings school system.
"We didn't know how to make him learn," Joni Lipsey said. "A lot of school stuff was so hard for him."
Lipsey moved from the Kings school district to
The
After three years at The Springer School, Lipsey made tremendous strides in the classroom. However one important facet of Lipsey's life was missing during his time at Springer. Athletics.
"He went to Springer for three years and he hated that they didn't have any sports," Joni Lipsey said. "He was always big and athletic and he couldn't do anything about it at Springer."
Prior to the eighth-grade, Lipsey enrolled in the Sycamore school system. It was soon apparent that athletically he stood out among others at the school.
"Sports are something that I've always been very good at," Lipsey said. "I haven't had to put too much work into it. It's come naturally."
Lipsey enjoyed a breakout season his sophomore year. He earned a starting spot on the offensive and defensive line of the Aviator football team, and in his first year of wrestling, qualified for the state tournament as a heavyweight.
"We knew if he came out for the team his sophomore year, he would have a chance at making state," Sycamore wrestling coach Jason Staggs said. "He has great natural strength. We spent extra time coaching him and little by little he kept improving."
In his junior season, he placed fourth in the state tournament.
Now a senior at Sycamore, Lipsey's athletic accolades reached a pinnacle earlier this month when he committed to play football next season at
The game pits the best seniors from
"I never thought in a million years I would get asked to play," Lipsey said. "I was very surprised. I'm expecting it to be a great time with a lot of great athletes and I'm expecting
Sycamore football coach Scott Datillo says Lipsey is the strongest player he's ever coached and knows
"
He will attempt to qualify for his third consecutive trip to the state wrestling tournament next month.
Lipsey realizes his struggles early in life have given him the right mentality to succeed in competition.
"I think all of that has helped me out a lot," said Lipsey, who plans to major in criminal justice. "It's taught me about perseverance and fighting hard to get what you want. It's really made me who I am today."
More importantly, Lipsey's struggles have led him into wanting to help the disadvantage. He volunteers with the Stepping Out club at Sycamore, where he helps students with special needs and he teaches Sunday school to a class of 5-year-olds weekly.
That side of Caleb has definitely not gone unseen by his mother.
