Leland Ray Wood (Rip) a native of Baltimore, Maryland attended Forest Park High School before entering Washington College where he earned his A.B. degree in 1951. As a student he was active in the affairs of the Theta Chi fraternity and the Varsity Club as well as participating in varsity sports; four years on the lacrosse team and three years on the soccer team.
Rib was an outstanding lacrosse player who gained national attention when he established new goal scoring records. In 1949 he netted 62 goals which was a new high for one man in a lacrosse season. By the close of his collegiate career he accumulated a total of 187 goals, a State and National record that was not to be broken for the next twenty-five years. His total goals by years was:
1948 40
1949 62
1950 38
1951 47
The mark thus established exceeded the existing record by 40. In achieving this distinction Rip did not score more than seven goals in any one game, which is an indication of the consistency of his performances.
In 1951 he played in the annual North-South lacrosse game and tied for the lead in scoring in that contest. He was select-ed to be a member of the All America Lacrosse team in 1951. Following his collegiate career he was a member of the Mount Washington Lacrosse Club and was its leading scorer in 1954 when it won the Lacrosse Open Championship.
Rip specializes in commercial insurance with particular expertise in dealing with the insurance problems of building contractors and in workman’s compensation coverage. In 1966 he was awarded the CPCU, a degree in Chartered Property Cas-ualty Underwriters and in 1969 the ARM, Associate in Risk Management, both designations of processional recognition by professional societies of the insurance industry. At the present time Rip is Assistant Vice President in the firm of Alexander &: Alexander, International Insurance Brokers.
When not traveling or sailing Rip is active with the Anne Arundel County Tennis Ladder and tournaments. He has served two terms as president of the Annapolis Chapter of the Washing on College Alumni Association, a group with which he continues to be active.
