Indiana University Athletics
IU Athletics Mourns Passing of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Andy Hipskind
9/19/2021 9:54:00 AM | General
Bloomington, Indiana –Indiana University Athletics is mourning the loss of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Andy Hipskind, who passed away Saturday after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was 48 years old.
Hipskind, whose relationship with IU Athletics dates back three decades, greatly impacted both the department and university communities. He was an integral part of IU Athletics' medical team since joining the staff in 2003 as the Director of Sports Medicine and the football team's physician. Since 2014, he served as the Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Sports Performance as well as IU Athletics' first-ever Chief Medical Officer.
His contributions were never more apparent than during the last 18 months, when he served as a member of the IU Athletics Medical Advisory Group as well as the COVID-19 Operations Team that led the department's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He has been frequently honored by both the medical and university communities for his excellence. Earlier this fall he became just the 45th recipient of the IU Distinguished Service Medal, which was presented by Indiana University President Pamela Whitten to recognize his nearly two decades of exceptional professional service to the IU Athletics department and the IU community.
"Andy dedicated himself to serving our student-athletes and has been the absolute best in his profession," said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson. "He helped our students grow, develop, recover, pursue and fulfill their dreams. But in addition to all that he did on behalf of our student-athletes, he's also been a trusted colleague, a tremendous leader, and a wonderful friend to so many in our department, university, and Bloomington communities. He will be deeply and dearly missed."
A Bloomington native, Hipskind's relationship with IU Athletics began when he was a student-athlete for IU's cross country and track and field programs, where he competed for legendary IU Coach Sam Bell. He graduated from IU in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in biology, and earned his M.D. from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1999.
After completing a family practice residency in South Bend, Ind., and a sports medicine fellowship in Philadelphia, Hipskind returned to IU Athletics in 2003 as IU's Director of Sports Medicine and IU Football's team physician. In 2014 he was named Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Sports Performance as well as IU's first-ever Chief Medical Officer.
Throughout his tenure as the Chief Medical Officer, IU's Sports Medicine Department experienced tremendous growth under his leadership. New staff positions and services were added and developed to ensure student-athletes receive the most comprehensive medical care during their time at Indiana University. These additions include an expanded sport nutrition professional staff, developing an in-house sport psychology program and aiding in the creation of the Elite Athlete Development Center. Dedicated to the overall well-being and development of student-athletes, Hipskind was instrumental in the Memorial Stadium South End Zone facility project and served on the Excellence Academy Leadership team.
IU Athletics recently honored him for his enormous contributions by renaming the IU Athletics Chief Medical Officer Physician's Office in his honor. The Dr. Andy S. Hipskind Chief Medical Officer Physician's Office is located in the Dr. Lawrence D. Rink Center for Sports Medicine and Technology in the IU Athletics Excellence Academy.
He is survived by his wife, Angela, and two children, Charlize and Drew.
He was 48 years old.
Hipskind, whose relationship with IU Athletics dates back three decades, greatly impacted both the department and university communities. He was an integral part of IU Athletics' medical team since joining the staff in 2003 as the Director of Sports Medicine and the football team's physician. Since 2014, he served as the Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Sports Performance as well as IU Athletics' first-ever Chief Medical Officer.
His contributions were never more apparent than during the last 18 months, when he served as a member of the IU Athletics Medical Advisory Group as well as the COVID-19 Operations Team that led the department's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He has been frequently honored by both the medical and university communities for his excellence. Earlier this fall he became just the 45th recipient of the IU Distinguished Service Medal, which was presented by Indiana University President Pamela Whitten to recognize his nearly two decades of exceptional professional service to the IU Athletics department and the IU community.
"Andy dedicated himself to serving our student-athletes and has been the absolute best in his profession," said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson. "He helped our students grow, develop, recover, pursue and fulfill their dreams. But in addition to all that he did on behalf of our student-athletes, he's also been a trusted colleague, a tremendous leader, and a wonderful friend to so many in our department, university, and Bloomington communities. He will be deeply and dearly missed."
A Bloomington native, Hipskind's relationship with IU Athletics began when he was a student-athlete for IU's cross country and track and field programs, where he competed for legendary IU Coach Sam Bell. He graduated from IU in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in biology, and earned his M.D. from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1999.
After completing a family practice residency in South Bend, Ind., and a sports medicine fellowship in Philadelphia, Hipskind returned to IU Athletics in 2003 as IU's Director of Sports Medicine and IU Football's team physician. In 2014 he was named Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Sports Performance as well as IU's first-ever Chief Medical Officer.
Throughout his tenure as the Chief Medical Officer, IU's Sports Medicine Department experienced tremendous growth under his leadership. New staff positions and services were added and developed to ensure student-athletes receive the most comprehensive medical care during their time at Indiana University. These additions include an expanded sport nutrition professional staff, developing an in-house sport psychology program and aiding in the creation of the Elite Athlete Development Center. Dedicated to the overall well-being and development of student-athletes, Hipskind was instrumental in the Memorial Stadium South End Zone facility project and served on the Excellence Academy Leadership team.
IU Athletics recently honored him for his enormous contributions by renaming the IU Athletics Chief Medical Officer Physician's Office in his honor. The Dr. Andy S. Hipskind Chief Medical Officer Physician's Office is located in the Dr. Lawrence D. Rink Center for Sports Medicine and Technology in the IU Athletics Excellence Academy.
He is survived by his wife, Angela, and two children, Charlize and Drew.
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 10 (at Maryland)
Wednesday, October 29
FB: Devan Boykin Media Availability (10/28/25)
Tuesday, October 28
FB: Kaelon Black Media Availability (10/28/25)
Tuesday, October 28
IUBB Pregame Press Conference
Friday, October 24