East Rankin Academy (ERA) cross country and track coach, David Hopper, was named the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) 5A Cross Country Coach of the Year following his girls’ team’s 2021 state title winning season. The cross-country state championship was a first for East Rankin Academy.
Coach Hopper, a 1975 graduate of Jackson Prep, has deep roots in Rankin County as both an athlete and coach. An integral part of Jackson Prep’s state title teams in the mid-1970s, Hopper specialized in distance events and relays. Success at the prep level resulted in scholarship offers from Mississippi College, West Point and Florida. Coach Hopper attended West Point from 1975-1977, running cross country, and then transferred to Auburn, graduating in 1979 with a degree in Speech Communications. Hopper soon returned to Central Mississippi, working in the television industry until the late 90s, when he began coaching and teaching in Rankin County schools, to include Brandon, ERA and McLaurin.
Returning to ERA in 2018, Coach Hopper set to work rebuilding a traditionally strong running program. With only a few varsity runners, Hopper began recruiting athletes to support the existing team and develop a championship-caliber team. Since that time, he has added talent each year, some of which contributed to the 2021 state title. A proponent of old school hard work, the team trains five days a week, cycling through short and long distance runs, weights, and hill work. The passion with which Hopper supports each athlete translates into collective commitment from both boys and girls, as they develop athletically and strategically.
Coach Steven Boozer, 2003 ERA graduate, three time state champion, and scholarship athlete at the University of Alabama stated, “Coach Hopper was the entire reason that I began competing in track. He saw an athlete that would not only strengthen the track and field program, but also have the potential to further their career after high school. Because of Coach Hopper, I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Alabama and serve as graduate assistant for the track and field program at Mississippi College, where I earned my master’s degree. All of this is because of the potential that Hopper saw in me as an eighth-grade student. Throughout my collegiate career, Coach Hopper kept up with my progress, staying in close contact. This continued afterwards in my personal life. He inspired me to be the type of coach that I would like to be. I strive to be a positive influence in the daily lives of my athletes and think this is an important aspect of being a part and influencing the lives of young athletes, who are our future.”
Caleb Hammons, a 2000 ERA graduate, cross country individual state champion and team captain of the Ole Miss cross country team from 2002-2005 stated, “I found a great deal of satisfaction in running and the teamwork associated. The simplicity of it all and the application to everyday life is rewarding. Here are some things that I have taken away from years of running and training: surround yourself with excellence and those who strive for it, work together toward the goals set and, discipline your mind and body. Do not let the fear of failure prevent you from achievement or learning from failure; be consistent and become resilient. During my senior year [at ERA], I will always remember Mr. [Robert] Gates and Coach Hopper and the encouragement they gave me because I had not yet learned, and consistently been able to apply, these principles to my life.”
Coach Hopper was presented with his Coach of the Year plaque by the MAIS and the East Rankin Administration at the ERA sports awards ceremony on May 2, 2022.
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