Jones College

Hopper attended JCJC from 1982-84 and was a standout football and baseball player.

Hopper was a quarterback and punter for the Bobcats in 1982-83. He led the team to an 8-3 record and a playoff appearance as a freshman and, in 1983, guided the team to the MACJC championship, an East Bowl victory, 11-2 record and a No. 4 national ranking.

He was All-MACJC, the Most Valuable Back in the South Division, was named to the All-Star team and was an Honorable Mention All-American. He was also elected a permanent captain of the 1983 team.

Hopper was involved in one of the most famous plays in JCJC history.

The Bobcats were playing East Central in 1983 in the ninth game of the season at Bush-Young Stadium, with the winner advancing to the state playoffs. EC led 20-19 with 30 seconds left and JCJC had the ball at its own 20-yard line. On the game's final play with one second left, Hopper dropped back to pass, could not find an open receiver and began to run. He made it all the way to the end zone for a 52-yard touchdown and JCJC won the game, 25-20.

Hopper also played center field for the baseball team at Jones and was named All-MACJC, All-Region 23 and played in the All-Star Game.

Hopper went to Mississippi College after leaving JCJC and played football and baseball. He was the quarterback and punter and helped the Choctaws to a 13-4-2 two-year record. He was a left fielder for the MC baseball team.

Hopper later received his master’s degree in administration from William Carey University. 

He has been a teacher and coach for the past 30 years in the area. He was the 1992 WDAM Coach of the Year at Perry Central. He was the Laurel Leader-Call 2004 District 4-4A Coach of the Year at South Jones. He also coached at West Jones and Petal. Over the years, he has served as a head coach in football, track, golf and soccer. From 2002-11, he was a volunteer Dixie Youth Baseball coach.

Hopper is a member of the JCJC Alumni Association.

He and his wife, Sonja, have two children: daughter, Nichole Bell and husband, Preston; and son, Samuel.