Ambler Native Will Be Placekicking for Penn Football This Fall

Dan Lipschutz arrived at Penn knowing he would get an Ivy League education.  He also knew he would have to wait his turn on the football field. 

Lipschutz his entering his senior season at Penn, and the native will take over the placekicking duties for the Quakers this fall. 

For the past three seasons, Lipschutz has stood on the sidelines while watching Andrew Samson emerge as one of the best kickers in the history of Penn football. Samson graduated last June, so the waiting is over for Lipschutz.

“I knew I would have to wait a couple of years,” said Lipschutz. “I learned from Andrew every day. I learned how to approach practice and how to approach games. I just made myself better every day and got myself ready.”

Lipschutz will get a chance to kick for a team that has been the dominant Ivy League football school in recent years. The Quakers will be going after their third straight league crown this fall, and Lipschutz is happy to be a part of a program with a winning tradition.

“We’ve pretty much been winning since I’ve gotten here,” Lipschutz said.  “It’s a great environment and an infectious environment.  Everybody feeds off of each other. The players and coaches expect excellence out of each other, and we push each other every day.”

While Lipschutz has had to wait his turn at Penn, it has been a relatively fast track to the world of placekicking for the Ambler native.  Lipschutz was in his sophomore year at Germantown Academy when he decided to switch sports. It was a move that would eventually lead him to Penn.

“I was a soccer player up until 10th grade,” said Lipschutz. “The kicker on the football team graduated. I decided to pick up where he left off. I’ve never really looked back. It’s been great ever since.”

Lipschutz put together impressive numbers at Germantown Academy.  He led all Philadelphia-area kickers in scoring as a junior and was a team captain during his senior season.

“I have some great memories at G.A.,” Lipschutz said. “It really built the foundation for everything I do now. I loved my time there.”

When Lipschutz went looking for the right college, the academic opportunities at Penn were obvious. Lipschutz also liked the location of the school since it offered the opportunity to stay in the Philadelphia area.

“It’s a great place to be and a great place to live,” said Lipschutz. “I love being close to home. My family and friends can come and see the games, which is a plus. Penn is also an amazing part of the Philadelphia sports tradition.”

Instead of griping about waiting his turn behind Samson, Lipschutz welcomed the opportunity to learn from one of the best kickers in the Ivy League.

“He was so successful the four years he started here,” Lipschutz said.  “Through all that, he remained humble and true to himself. He made sure he stayed on top of his game.”

The Quakers enter the 2011 season as favorites to win their third straight Ivy League title. While Penn had its share of easy victories last season, the Quakers were also involved in several tight contests. 

Many Ivy League games in recent years have been decided on the final play of the game. And Lipschutz knows there may come a time when the season will be on the line with one swing of his kicking leg.

“The Ivy League has a lot of great teams that are always very competitive,” said Lipschutz. “With us having won the last two championships, everyone is going to give us their ‘A’ game. We’re going to be everybody’s big game on their schedule, so we’re expecting some tight games. If my number is called, I’ll be ready to go.”