Jim Hopson
Encyclopedia
Jim Hopson is the president and chief executive officer for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
of the Canadian Football League
(CFL). Hopson has served in this role since 2005. Under his stewardship, the Roughriders captured the 2007 Grey Cup
, and the team has recorded record profits.
Hopson has been involved with football in Saskatchewan for much of his life. He played high school football for Thom Collegiate
in Regina, and then joined the Regina Rams
to play junior football. After completing his junior career, Hopson joined the Roughriders in 1973. He became a starter on the offensive line for the Roughriders in 1974, when his career overlapped with Roughrider greats Ron Lancaster
and George Reed
. During 1975 and 1976, Hopson played professional football while teaching in Lumsden
, Saskatchewan. After the 1976 Grey Cup, which Saskatchewan lost to the Ottawa Rough Riders
, Hopson retired to focus on his teaching career.
Hopson graduated from the University of Regina
with a degree in education and went on to receive a masters degree from the University of Oregon
. Divorced with two grown children, as of September 2010 he is engaged to marry Brenda Edwards.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
of the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
(CFL). Hopson has served in this role since 2005. Under his stewardship, the Roughriders captured the 2007 Grey Cup
Grey Cup
The Grey Cup is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team. It is Canada's largest annual sports and television event, regularly drawing a Canadian viewing audience of about 3 to 4 million individuals...
, and the team has recorded record profits.
Hopson has been involved with football in Saskatchewan for much of his life. He played high school football for Thom Collegiate
Thom Collegiate
Thom Collegiate is a high school located in the Coronation Park area of north Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It is named for Douglas J. Thom - a lawyer, author, and member of the Regina Collegiate Board.The school offers a dual track French immersion program...
in Regina, and then joined the Regina Rams
Regina Rams
The Regina Rams are the CIS football team that represents the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Rams nickname is used by the university's football team only; all other teams at the school are named Regina Cougars...
to play junior football. After completing his junior career, Hopson joined the Roughriders in 1973. He became a starter on the offensive line for the Roughriders in 1974, when his career overlapped with Roughrider greats Ron Lancaster
Ron Lancaster
Ronald "Ron" Lancaster was one of the pre-eminent quarterbacks of the Canadian Football League during his playing career; after his retirement as a player, he was also coach and general manager in the same league, and a sports announcer for CBC Television...
and George Reed
George Reed
George Robert Reed, CM is a former American college football and Canadian Football League player. Reed, along with Mike Pringle and Johnny Bright, is one of the players most often mentioned as being the greatest running back in CFL history...
. During 1975 and 1976, Hopson played professional football while teaching in Lumsden
Lumsden, Saskatchewan
-History:Settlers first arrived in 1881 and the area came to be commonly known as Happy Hollow. When the Qu'Appelle, Long Lake and Saskatchewan Railway came through the community in 1889, the name was changed to Lumsden after Hugh Lumsden, a senior engineer with the railroad.The town has been...
, Saskatchewan. After the 1976 Grey Cup, which Saskatchewan lost to the Ottawa Rough Riders
Ottawa Rough Riders
The Ottawa Rough Riders were a Canadian Football League team based in Ottawa, Ontario, founded in 1876. One of the oldest and longest lived professional sports teams in North America, the Rough Riders won the Grey Cup championship nine times. Their most dominant era was the 1960s and 1970s, a...
, Hopson retired to focus on his teaching career.
Hopson graduated from the University of Regina
University of Regina
The University of Regina is a public research university located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Founded in 1911 as a private denominational high school of the Methodist Church of Canada, it began an association with the University of Saskatchewan as a junior college in 1925, and was disaffiliated...
with a degree in education and went on to receive a masters degree from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
. Divorced with two grown children, as of September 2010 he is engaged to marry Brenda Edwards.