Brian Phipps Bio
Brian Phipps (born November 26, 1987) is an American professional lacrosse player who plays as a goalkeeper for Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club of the Premier Lacrosse League. A former University of Maryland standout, Phipps built his reputation as one of the most decorated Terrapins netminders before launching a professional career that has spanned Major League Lacrosse and the PLL. He previously represented the Chesapeake Bayhawks, Ohio Machine, and Redwoods LC at the top level of the sport in the United States.
Beyond his playing days, Phipps has remained closely tied to the game through coaching. He served as an assistant coach for the Georgetown Hoyas men’s lacrosse team before becoming the head coach at Archbishop Spalding High School, where he led the program for nine seasons. His path from a celebrated college goalkeeper to a respected professional and coach reflects a career defined by longevity, leadership, and a deep connection to the lacrosse community.
Early Life and Background
Brian Phipps was born on November 26, 1987, in Annapolis, Maryland, in the United States. Growing up in the Chesapeake Bay region placed him in the heart of a strong lacrosse culture, where the sport is deeply embedded in youth leagues, high school programs, and community traditions. His early years in Maryland helped shape his development as a goalkeeper, a position that demands quick reflexes, strong communication, and the ability to organize a defense under pressure.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and competing at around 185 pounds, Phipps built his frame and skill set through years of competitive youth lacrosse in Maryland. The region’s pipeline of talented players and experienced coaches gave him a strong technical foundation before he reached the college level. His progression through the local lacrosse scene set the stage for his recruitment to one of the most storied programs in the country.
Path to Lacrosse
Phipps joined the University of Maryland, a program with a national championship pedigree and a long tradition of producing elite goalkeepers. As a freshman in 2007, he earned ACC Freshman of the Year honors, an early signal that he was ready to compete at a high level. His strong debut season established him as the Terrapins’ starting goalkeeper and laid the groundwork for several years of individual recognition.
During his college career, Phipps was named a USILA All-American, one of the highest honors for a collegiate lacrosse player. He was also recognized as the University of Maryland Male Athlete of the Year, an award that reflects his impact across the entire athletic department. These achievements helped position him for a professional opportunity when he was selected in the ninth round of the MLL Expansion Draft in 2011 by the Chesapeake Bayhawks.
Brian Phipps Career
Early Career
Brian Phipps began his professional career with the Chesapeake Bayhawks after being taken in the 2011 MLL Expansion Draft. The Bayhawks were one of the most established franchises in Major League Lacrosse, giving Phipps a chance to develop against top professional competition. His time with the organization allowed him to refine his goalkeeping approach and adjust to the speed and physicality of the professional game.
As he gained experience at the professional level, Phipps also spent time with the Ohio Machine, another MLL franchise. Working within different team systems and defensive schemes helped him broaden his understanding of the position. These early professional seasons were formative, providing the consistency and exposure needed to establish himself as a reliable starter in the league.
PLL Era
Following the launch of the Premier Lacrosse League, Brian Phipps joined Redwoods LC, joining a wave of established MLL players who transitioned to the new tour-based league. With Redwoods, he continued to serve as a starting goalkeeper, bringing veteran poise to a developing roster. His presence helped stabilize the team’s defensive identity during the early years of the PLL.
Phipps later moved to Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club, where he has continued his professional career. The Whipsnakes organization has been one of the most competitive clubs in the PLL, and Phipps has contributed his experience and shot-stopping ability to their goalkeeping corps. His progression from the Chesapeake Bayhawks to the Ohio Machine, then to Redwoods LC and Whipsnakes, reflects a sustained professional career across two leagues.
Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club Era
As a member of Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club, Brian Phipps has remained an active goalkeeper in the Premier Lacrosse League. The Whipsnakes have consistently fielded a championship-caliber roster, and Phipps has brought depth and reliability to the team’s goalkeeping unit. His familiarity with high-level competition has allowed him to contribute in a rotational role while supporting the club’s broader defensive structure.
During his time with the Whipsnakes, Phipps has continued to be recognized as one of the experienced American goalkeepers in the professional ranks. His longevity in the sport speaks to his preparation, conditioning, and ability to adapt to evolving offensive strategies. The Whipsnakes era represents the latest chapter in a career that has spanned more than a decade at the professional level.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a goalkeeper, Brian Phipps is recognized for his positioning, communication with his defense, and ability to track the ball in traffic. His background in a competitive Maryland lacrosse environment helped him develop a composed approach in the crease. Working within varied defensive systems across the Bayhawks, Ohio Machine, Redwoods LC, and Whipsnakes has given him a broad tactical understanding of the position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Brian Phipps’s career milestones are his ACC Freshman of the Year award in 2007, his USILA All-American selection, and his recognition as the University of Maryland Male Athlete of the Year. His selection in the 2011 MLL Expansion Draft by the Chesapeake Bayhawks marked his entry into the professional ranks, and his subsequent moves through Ohio Machine, Redwoods LC, and Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club reflect a sustained presence at the top level of the sport.
Brian Phipps Career Wins
Brian Phipps has built a professional career as a goalkeeper across Major League Lacrosse and the Premier Lacrosse League. While specific win totals are not fully verified, his progression through the Chesapeake Bayhawks, Ohio Machine, Redwoods LC, and Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club demonstrates consistent participation at the highest level of the sport in the United States.
Professional Highlights
Phipps’s professional path began with the Chesapeake Bayhawks in 2011 after the MLL Expansion Draft and continued with the Ohio Machine. His transition to the Premier Lacrosse League brought stops with Redwoods LC and later Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club, where he has continued to compete as a goalkeeper.
Brian Phipps Family
Personal Life
Publicly verified details about Brian Phipps’s immediate family are limited. He was born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland, and has remained connected to the Mid-Atlantic lacrosse community throughout his career and into his coaching work. Information regarding his spouse, children, and parents has not been publicly confirmed through reliable sources.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 Premier Lacrosse League season, Brian Phipps remains with Whipsnakes Lacrosse Club as an experienced goalkeeper on the roster. His veteran presence continues to provide depth and stability within the team’s goalkeeping group. The Whipsnakes enter each season as a competitive club, and Phipps’s familiarity with the league’s tour-style schedule offers a steady influence on and off the field.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Phipps is expected to contribute within the Whipsnakes’ defensive structure while supporting the development of younger goalkeepers around him. His track record of competing at the professional level for more than a decade underscores his value as a reliable presence in the locker room. The combination of his experience and his continued fitness keeps him in position to contribute when called upon throughout the season.
