Wayne State University Athletics

Shea Tripp instructing at a summer basketball camp.

Women's Basketball 4/23/2025 4:07:00 PM Maggie Mace, WSU Sports Information Feature Writer

Feature Story - Shea Tripp

DETROIT -- Shea Tripp, who is a senior on the Wayne State University women's basketball team, is being nationally recognized not only for her successful performances on the court and in the classroom, but also for her continued work in giving back to the community while being a student athlete at WSU. She had recorded over 480 hours of community service since becoming a WSU student.

Warrior women's basketball head coach Carrie Lohr stated that Shea was one of the youngest captains she has ever had in her WSU coaching career, with Tripp being a captain three of her four years. "Shea has always had a natural talent for leading and helping others," commented Lohr.

Selected as a finalist for the John Wooden Citizenship Cup, Tripp will be one of three female student athletes from all divisions to head to Atlanta and the College Football Hall of Fame for the ceremony this Friday. Along with that award, Shea was also named as one of only 10 females out of 200 nominations, from all winter sports and all divisions to be on the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team.

Tripp was nominated for the Good Works Team by Senior Associate AD Jeff Weiss, not expecting to make it, she says "I found out I made the team right before the first round of the GLIAC Tournament. That was a great way to start the day!" Adding how grateful she was to be on the same platform as many other notable female student athletes.

"To be a finalist of this prestigious award (John Wooden Citizenship Cup) is simply amazing and Shea is very deserving," said Lohr. "This award embodies the entire landscape of college athletics and to be recognized among all female student-athletes across all NCAA divisions and all sports is incredible, and a testament to her valuable efforts on and off the basketball court."

Shea credits many of her community service opportunities to Athletes in Action and through Wayne State Athletics along with the support of her professors. One of those opportunities that she has been involved with all four years as a Warrior consisted of helping kids with autism enjoy an opportunity to run around and play for a few hours and learn fine motor skills "which they don't normally get the chance to do" remarked Tripp.

One of her favorite community service opportunities she is a part of is also an organization that is near and dear to her heart. She is a counselor at Bay Shore Camp, a Christian basketball camp which she used to attend as a camper. "Being able to go back and be a counselor and just help kids go through life, especially as an athlete, having to balance sport and academics as well as having a social life, that's what I'm super passionate about," stated Tripp.

Shea says these outreach opportunities have changed her life over the years stating "It's crazy because each year I go and I think to myself that I'm going to make an impact on these students and then by the end of the week, it's like, wow, they just changed my life way more than I think I could ever impact them."

When asked about her motivation to give back, the senior basketball player says her faith is a big driver of her community involvement, along with the support of her whole family behind her, inspiring her to keep going and have fun no matter what it is she chooses to do.

"It has been very rewarding watching her learn, grow and mature into a confident, driven, team player for not only the team but the entire athletic department," mentioned Lohr as she prepares to watch Shea grow in her career post-graduation.

On the court, Tripp received Second Team All-District recognition after being voted to the All-GLIAC First Team. She also earned All-Tournament Team accolades after both the GLIAC Tournament and the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament. During her career, Tripp played in 111 games, making 91 starts and playing 2,941 minutes. She scored 1,328 points, which ranks fourth in program history, grabbed 700 rebounds, dished out 344 assists and accumulated 237 steals, while shooting 78 percent (293-of-374) from the charity stripe.

Academically, the Health and Physical Education Teaching major has been a member of the Warrior Elite (term GPA 3.5+) all seven semesters, including six terms with a perfect 4.0 GPA. In addition, Tripp is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was a member of the Athlete Well-Being Committee during the 2023-24 academic year. She was previously a member of the WSU Student Leadership Council. Tripp will be a three-time GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team selection as well as a three-year recipient of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award. She was recently recognized with a GLIAC Commissioner's Award for athletic and academic excellence.

In all areas of her life, athletics, academics, career, and community, Tripp continues to positively impact the lives of those she is around. Hoping to continue doing so as she plans to build a career in coaching upon graduating from Wayne State this spring with her degree in Health and Physical Education Teaching.

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