Shannon Sorbo ’21 carries on family tradition at Ripon College

Shannon Sorbo, a senior from Nekoosa, Wisconsin, is the third of three sisters to attend Ripon College. “Both of my sisters have graduated from Ripon, so I was familiar with the campus and the faculty,” Sorbo says. “They had a great experience here, and I wanted to continue the Sorbo family legacy at Ripon.”

Chelsea Sorbo graduated in 2014 with honors in exercise science and a minor in leadership studies. She was a member of the Red Hawks women’s basketball team and earned academic all-conference recognition in three consecutive years.

Haley Sorbo graduated in 2016 and was also an exercise science major. Haley minored in business management and ran cross country for Ripon as a first-year and as a sophomore.

Shannon Sorbo is a double major pursuing degrees in sports management and business management with a minor in coaching. Like her eldest sister, she, too, is a member of the Red Hawks women’s basketball team. She’s been a part of three Midwest Conference championship teams under the guidance of Head Coach Lauren Busalacchi.

Sorbo says that her experiences at Ripon are a bit different than the ones of her two sisters. Referring to the current coronavirus pandemic, she says, “Ripon was a lot more laid back a few years ago compared to now.”

Sorbo believes that being a legacy hasn’t necessarily made her stand out with faculty, but she does say that she’s been asked multiple times if she was related to Chelsea and Haley.

As far as continuing the family legacy, beyond herself, Sorbo says, “I want my children to go where they desire — where they’ll be the happiest and get the best experience they can.”

(Photo: The Sorbo sisters with Rally the Red Hawk: From left, Shannon, Chelsea, Rally and Haley)

Beatriz Pedroza ’21
Avalon, California