Ray Lapinski
Ray Lapinski
  • Title:
    Assistant Coach
  • Phone:
    (203) 305-6314
  • Phone:
    (860) 832-3054
  • Email:
    lapinskir@ccsu.edu

Bio

Ray Lapinski enters his eighth season as a member of the Blue Devil coaching staff. During this time, the Blue Devils have won 14 Northeast Conference Team Championships and been selected Coaching Staff of the Year each year. He brings a wealth of experience to the program, having served as a high school, club, collegiate and national team coach.

Lapinski is a Southern Connecticut State University grad and former school record holder in the 4x400, 4x800 and DMR. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education in 1975, a graduate certificate in Biology from Macquarie University (Australia), in 1983, and a Masters Degree in Exercise Science from Southern Connecticut in 1986. He is a Lead Instructor in the USATF Coaching Education Program and is Level III Coaching Certified. Lapinski has served as a speaker at a number of clinics, seminars and camps around the country and has published numerous articles on training and coaching theory.

Lapinski has been selected as the Head Coach of Team USA on three occasions and has also served on the Australian National Coaching Staff in Cross Country. He served as the Vice Chair of Women’s Long Distance Running for USATF and was the National Development Chair for Long Distance Running from 1997-2004.

Prior to Central, Lapinski spent five years on the coaching staff at Yale University and was the Head Coach of the Club Connecticut Women’s Team. His club team sent five women to the Olympic Marathon Trials in 1996 and 2000 and won numerous National Road Championships. He was also a successful coach on the high school level where his Connecticut Teams garnered 12 CIAC Championship trophies.

Lapinski resides in Farmington, CT with his wife Kate, who he coached to a national master’s championship in Cross Country.