A small surprise ceremony was held last month at Irmo High School International School for the Arts to honor Tim Whipple for his 40 years of teaching and coaching at the school.

Whipple was honored with a South Carolina Statehouse resolution by Representative Chip Huggins congratulating him on his 40th year as Yellow Jackets boys head basketball coach.

The school also designated June 16 as “Tim Whipple Day.”

“It was a special moment and I was totally surprised,” Whipple said. “One of the things I tried to do during the presentation was to enjoy the moment.”

Whipple has been a physical education teacher and head boys basketball coach at Irmo High School for 40 years.

The Hall of Fame basketball coach has compiled an amazing record of 792-294. Whipple is ranked 2nd in state history in total wins (792) and his 10 state title game appearances are the most of any Class 4A/5A coach.

The Yellow Jackets program also has won 19 Region Championships under his leadership, including 9 undefeated seasons in region play. His teams have been to the South Carolina High School League state playoffs in 37 of 40 seasons.

“Tim Whipple continues to teach children and adults alike,” Irmo High School principal Robin Hardy said. “He exudes leadership and vision and what it means to be a true team player.”

Whipple is a 1977 graduate of Erskine College and later earned his doctorate in secondary administration and Supervision from the University of South Carolina.

Whipple was inducted to the Erskine College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and was elected to the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011. Most recently, Whipple reached the pinnacle of state coaching honors when he was inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

“This is about the journey, because I think in athletics we think about winning a championship or what the last game is all about,” Whipple said. “I have found, at least in my career, that it is not about the last game. It is about the journey and each one of those experiences that happen during a season or a year that build character and life long lessons that you learn.

“Irmo is a special place to me because I have been here for the majority of my life and it will always be important to me and special.”