By L. Anne Newell
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 30, 1997

Fraternity raises money for brother

Kristy Mangos Arizona Daily Wildcat Nathan Goldberg, a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, overlooks a group practice at the fraternity's sand volleyball court Saturday. Kappa Alpha will be hosting a volleyball tournament to raise money for the family of Chad Lippmeier who was injured last year.

Chad Lippmeier has been moved from hospital to hospital for over a year, but that could change soon if his fraternity comes through.

Lippmeier could go home.

Kappa Alpha fraternity will host a volleyball tournament on Sunday to benefit Lippmeier, who fell 250 feet in a hiking accident at Mt. Lemmon last year.

Chad Lippmeier and two friends were hiking at San Pedro Vista Point Sept. 14, 1996. His two friends decided to continue climbing while Chad stayed behind, said Brian Wellner, Lippmeier's former roommate, who was with Lippmeier at the time.

When Wellner and his friend reached the peak, they saw helicopters below them circling around where they left Lippmeier, he said.

Lippmeier had slipped on a loose rock and fallen 250 feet into a ravine. Lippmeier was airlifted out of the canyon after a three-hour delay due to inaccessibility and taken to Tucson Medical Center. He was given a 0 percent chance of survival and listed in critical condition for about three weeks, Wellner said.

Lippmeier broke three vertebra in his back, fractured both arms and legs and suffered countless internal injuries, including a punctured lung and serious head trauma.

He spent several months in a deep coma before he was airlifted to Cincinnati to be close to his family, Wellner said. Today, Lippmeier is in a Cincinnati hospital in a partially comatose state.

Wellner said he visited Lippmeier in March when he came out of the deepest stage of his coma, but he said, Lippmeier has been regressing since.

Members of Kappa Alpha said they believe Lippmeier will make more progress at home with his family than in a hospital alone.

"It's really important we help out Chad," said Neil Lieberman, the fraternity's president.

"He was our brother and he always will be," he said.

Wellner said the money raised from the volleyball tournament will go toward making Lippmeier's mother's house handicap-accessible and a special van to transport Lippmeier. The van is estimated to cost $32,000, Wellner said.

A Cincinnati golf tournament last month raised $8,200 for Lippmeier.

"He's going to pull through 100 percent," Wellner said. "If he's got it in his mind, it's going to happen."

Lippmeier's parents said they are thrilled to hear of the event, and it "lifts their spirits to know people care."

They said their son was happy when he learned about the volleyball tournament, and said he should be released by the end of October.

Wellner said he hopes to raise at least $1,500 to $2,000 in the six-on-six elimination tournament.

He said he had 10 teams registered Friday afternoon, but said he expected many more to show interest in the next week.

The tournament is open to anyone, with divisions for women, men and coed teams. Prizes are awarded for the first and second place teams in each division.

Non-UA students are also invited to participate in the competition, Wellner said, and although participants are encouraged to register as part of a team, individuals may also register.

Lieberman said the tournament is a good idea because, "It brings all groups together for a common cause," adding he expects to see Lippmeier again in the near future.

The competition, which will be held on the Arizona-Sonora Residence Hall volleyball courts, that requires a $75 charge as a donation per team. There will be free food and music.

People interested in participating should contact Kappa Alpha at 624-5525.

The "Send Chad Home" Volleyball Tournament

When: Sunday, Oct. 5

Where: Arizona-Sonora Residence Hall Volleyball Courts, 910 E. 5th St.

Cost: $75 donation per team

Time: Around 10 a.m.

For More Information: Brian Wellner at 624-5525