E.O. Smith Hall of Fame, 2015 Inductee
James R. "Bob" Hopson - Class of 1979
Track and Field & Basketball
As a senior, Bob Hopson helped lead the boys basketball team to a 21-4 record and its only ECC regular season and tournament titles in 25 seasons. The Panthers also reached the Class M state semi-finals. Prior to the remarkable 1979 season, the team had reached the post-season just three times. Later that spring, Hopson became state champion in the high jump (6'8") and triple jump (44'6"), and he set school records that still stand. At UConn, Hopson was an eight-time Big East high jump champion, winning both the indoor and outdoor titles in each of his four years at the school. As a senior All-American, he jumped 7'4". He competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984. Hopson currently works at UConn as a Senior Admissions Officer, where he has worked for many years.
Track and Field & Basketball
As a senior, Bob Hopson helped lead the boys basketball team to a 21-4 record and its only ECC regular season and tournament titles in 25 seasons. The Panthers also reached the Class M state semi-finals. Prior to the remarkable 1979 season, the team had reached the post-season just three times. Later that spring, Hopson became state champion in the high jump (6'8") and triple jump (44'6"), and he set school records that still stand. At UConn, Hopson was an eight-time Big East high jump champion, winning both the indoor and outdoor titles in each of his four years at the school. As a senior All-American, he jumped 7'4". He competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984. Hopson currently works at UConn as a Senior Admissions Officer, where he has worked for many years.
