[3] While at Canisius, Rappl helped build the program from a club team into a perennial NCAA tournament team and is considered a legendary figure in Canisius athletics history.
[4][5] After graduating from Canisius in 1977, Rappl was tasked with building the school's softball program in 1980.
[7] Along the way, the Golden Griffins won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) regular season championship 13 times, as well as winning the MAAC tournament 12 times, both records.
[10] Upon his retirement, Rappl was the most winningest head coach in any sport in MAAC history.
[11] He has since been passed in this distinction by former Siena baseball coach Tony Rossi.