Former UMass Lowell Associate Head Coach & Framingham State Head Coach brings decades of experience in girls’ and women’s lacrosse

STOW, Mass. — July 11, 2026 — Masters Academy International today announced the hiring of James Rippey as Assistant Girls’ Lacrosse Coach, adding decades of coaching experience in girls’ and women’s lacrosse to the MAI staff ahead of the program’s inaugural season.

Rippey joins MAI after serving five seasons as Associate Head Coach at UMass Lowell. During his tenure, the River Hawks experienced the most successful stretch in program history, highlighted by the program’s first ever American East Regular Season Championship in 2025. That season also earned the coaching staff America East Coaching Staff of the Year honors following a record-breaking campaign that included the most conference victories in school history.

Prior to UMass Lowell, Rippey spent nine years at the helm of the Framingham State women’s lacrosse team and was hired to rebuild the program. Under his leadership, the program progressed from a one-win team to a perennial conference contender, capturing the 2019 MASCAC Regular Season Championship and earning three consecutive appearances in the title game. He was also named the MASCAC 2019 Coach of the Year. The Rams set school records for victories, earned the program’s first NCAA Regional Ranking and produced 25 All-Conference Selections during his tenure.

Rippey joins Director of Girls’ Lacrosse Abbey Capobianco, giving MAI one of the most accomplished girls’ lacrosse coaching staffs in New England. Together, they bring decades of collegiate coaching experience, proven player development and championship success.

“James’ track record of developing student-athletes both on and off the field is exceptional, and his extensive experience in the collegiate lacrosse landscape will be invaluable,” said Abbey Capobianco, Director of Girls’ Lacrosse at Masters Academy International. “James shares our deep commitment to academic and athletic excellence, and I look forward to working together to provide our student-athletes with an environment designed to not only prepare, but to succeed at the highest levels of collegiate lacrosse.”

“Being able to join Masters Academy International and work alongside Abbey and the rest of the staff to build a program from the ground up is special,” said James Rippey, Assistant Girls’ Lacrosse Coach at Masters Academy International. “The opportunity to help student-athletes reach their full potential while balancing elite-level competition and rigorous academics is exactly what drew me to MAI. I’m eager to bring my experience to the program and to support our athletes as they strive for well-rounded success that sets them up for life.”

Rippey earned a Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education/Mathematics from Northeastern University in 2012 and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mathematics and History from Boston College in 2010.

Rippey’s hiring continues MAI’s investment in assembling one of the nation’s premier coaching staffs and commitment to developing elite student-athletes across the nine sports it will offer. To learn more about Masters Academy International’s lacrosse program, visit https://www.mastersacademyinternational.com/sports/lacrosse.

About Masters Academy International: Masters Academy International (MAI) is an elite boarding and day school opening in Stow, Massachusetts, designed to redefine the student-athlete experience. MAI prepares students to think, train, and perform at professional standards by integrating pro-level coaching, top-tier academics, and comprehensive student development into one aligned model — ensuring students never have to compromise one for the other. The school is operated in partnership with Cognita, a global education leader with more than 100 premium private schools worldwide. MAI provides a structured pathway for students aspiring to compete at the collegiate and professional levels while excelling in the classroom and in life. Learn more at https://www.mastersacademyinternational.com/.

Media Contact: Joe Zarbano, Regan Communications on behalf of Masters Academy International, jzarbano@regancomm.com.