University of Massachusets Athletics
Shipp Runs to Stardom in NFL
November 18, 2002 | Football
Nov. 18, 2002
The emergence of a wave of professional athletes that don't work hard and openly admit a lack of effort in practice and in games is upon us. But this phenomenon is not necessarily the case for all athletes. And it is definitely not the truth behind UMass football legend Marcel Shipp. Shipp embodies the consummate athlete - positive, dedicated, hard-working and coachable. His abilities on the football field, combined with his work ethic, explain why Shipp, despite the odds, is living out his dream - currently playing for the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals.
Shipp, one of the top running backs in the history of Division I-AA football, signed as a free agent with the Cardinals at the beginning of the 2001 season. His career in the NFL began with playing special teams; a role Shipp admits was not a part of his duties throughout his UMass career.
"When I first started I was on the special teams, the punt team, the kickoff team. I adjusted pretty quickly, learning what I had to do out there. I knew that if I wanted to play, I had to perform well on special teams," said Shipp.
Turn on the television to catch a game when the Cardinals are playing and you might catch Shipp carrying the ball from the backfield at critical points in the game. In the overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys, Shipp was able to place Arizona in field goal position, leaving the rest to his teammate Bill Grammatica to make the kick.
This is where Shipp wants to be. He wants to have the ball in his hands. Going back to the second game of the season, the Patterson, N.J., native, totaled 92 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns leading his team to a 21-7 win over the New York Giants. Even for the two-time first team All-America selection, getting into this position wasn't easy.
"Going from UMass to the NFL was a drastic jump for me. I do intense training in the off-season to continue to get better. Every time out for workouts, lifting, whatever - I have to put it all out there. That's the only way I can reach my full potential."
So far, Shipp's dedication to his career has produced remarkable results. In high school, the first-team All-State selection ran for 1,510 yards and 24 touchdowns on 172 carries (8.8 ypc) during his senior season. In one year at Milford (Conn.) Academy prep school, Shipp ran for 3,239 yards and 42 touchdowns on 429 carries.
At UMass, he became only the 12th player in school history to earn first team All-Conference honors three times. He finished his career as the all-time leading rusher in the history of the Atlantic 10 Conference with 6,250 yards. His heroics in the 1998 season culminated with a 244-yard, three-touchdown performance to lead the Minutemen over Georgia Southern, garnering the national championship.
Shipp finished his career with school records for carries (1,215), rushing yards per game (130.2), rushing touchdowns (58), all-purpose yards (7,759), all-purpose plays (1,365), all-purpose yards per game (161.1), points scored (378) and touchdowns scored (63).
With the tremendous success he has achieved and the numerous accolades, Shipp remains extremely humble.
"I can't really explain what my football experience has meant to me," Shipp said. "Above everything else, I just feel blessed that I can compete at this level and do for my family at the same time."
Going into his second year in Arizona, Shipp is beginning to get settled. But he returns to Amherst every chance he gets. His off-season regiment includes a rigorous four-day workout with University of Massachusetts strength and conditioning coach Bob Otrando. Otrando, an Olympic Trials qualifier and the master's world indoor record holder in the shot put (53'11"), trains with Shipp during the off-season. Ask Otrando about Shipp and the reason why he has been successful and will continue to achieve is evident.
"He's a great athlete and an even better person. He gives 100 percent for every workout, whether it be running or lifting. And even with all that, he never has an excuse. He always there ready to go - ready to put in the time," said Otrando.
Coach Otrando's admiration for Shipp's work ethic goes ways beyond just recognizing his dedication. The phrase "compete like Shipp" is on Otrando's personal list of motivational keys to success - a list he goes through before each competition.
Marcel's mother, Ida Shipp, has also seen how hard he has worked and how much effort he has put into it since day one.
"I can just hear in her voice how proud she is when I talk to her on the phone. I know that it puts a smile on her face to see me playing football on television," said Shipp.
Shipp has a proven formula for football success, and he's used it since childhood, and continues to use it in the NFL. Where you might see some players taking plays off or trying to grab a rest from the smoldering heat of the Arizona desert, Shipp is still able to put forth 100 percent. Even under the intense pressure and scrutiny of playing in the NFL, Shipp does not fluster. He relishes his opportunity to compete at such a high level, but is not intimidated by the athletes around him. Looking at the other end of the field and seeing the likes of Ray Lewis, Warren Sapp, and Michael Strahan all looking to bring him down, he remains undaunted and competes as if he were playing at UMass.
"When you play at this level, you can see that everyone is talented. There are really no obvious weak points. But when I get out there, it's a pretty normal feeling. Basically, I just act like I'm playing at UMass."
Shipp's attitude and outlook has helped him become a successful professional athlete and he encourages young athletes to follow their dreams and constantly give their best in all they do.
"The advice I could give to young athlete is to keep working hard. Remember that you can only do so much, so just play your best all the time. And let the chips fall where they may. A lot of people get caught in the heat of the moment and then can't perform. Just go out there and do it."
In the 2002 season the Arizona Cardinals have gotten off to a good start with young talented players like Shipp, David Boston, and Jake Plummer. The Cardinals' future, along with Shipp's, looks bright as the Arizona sun.
