Valgene ‘Whip’ Whipple remembered for lifelong love of basketball, Minneota community
MINNEOTA — Valgene “Whip” Whipple left a lasting impression on the Minneota community through his passion for basketball, his commitment to young athletes and the relationships he built throughout his coaching career. Whipple died Oct. 14 at the age of 86. For Minneota girls basketball head coach Al Panka, that impact was personal. Panka knew Whip as a player, an assistant coach, a coaching opponent and even someone Panka golfed against. “I have the full gamut of knowing him,” Panka said. “I was a sophomore when he coached for a year. He was the head coach. A few years ...