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January 7, 2004

Trish Hopson - 41st annual Sportsperson of the Year

By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist


For more than four decades, the first week of January has been set aside to salute an individual (or individuals) who made a positive impact on the sports scene in Ocean City.

Sometimes the honor goes to one who made special contributions during the previous year. At times the nod goes for accomplishments over a period of time. We have recognized coaches, athletes, administrators and volunteers.

This year, we turn the spotlight on a person who proved her dedication to the young athletes of OCHS and her skills as a coach, despite the doubts of some.

Trish Hopson was a versatile athlete for the Raiders before going on to play NCAA Division I basketball for UMass. She was a talented guard for Chris Lentz’s basketball team and a key part of South Jersey cross country and track champions coached by Mike Naples. Before coming back to her alma mater, Hopson was the head basketball coach at Oakcrest, setting that program on a course that has evolved into one of the best teams in Falcon school history this year.

But it was what she did at Ocean City High School this year that was impressive.

First, in the winter season, she made history by coaching the junior varsity boys basketball team throughout its season after an injury knocked JV coach Mel Bennett out for the year. It was the first time in Cape-Atlantic League history that a woman had coached a boys basketball team on the varsity or JV levels.

Then, after Leo Chase retired as girls cross country coach, Hopson decided to apply for the job. What followed was an out-of-control effort to question her qualifications so that another candidate would be awarded the position.

It worked on the first ballot, confusing enough Board of Education members that they declined the recommendation of school officials that she be hired. Eventually, she was hired to serve as co-head coach of the team with Bruce Welch.

Well, these two rookie cross country coaches led that talented group of runners to a South Jersey title and an appearance in the Meet of Champions, fulfilling a pre-season goal. Hopson joined Fenton Carey as the only individuals to be part of South Jersey champion teams from Ocean City as both an athlete and a coach.

Let’s be clear about one thing. This selection in no way overlooks the contributions of Welch to the fantastic championship cross country season. The two of them were equals and brought together a team of runners, taking them further than they had been in nearly a decade. Both were named Co-Coaches of the Year in South Jersey by the Inquirer. Welch is clearly another of the talented young coaches who will design the future sports successes at OCHS.

But this is a salute to a young woman who stepped into the breech during basketball season and did something no woman had done before. And someone who ignored the public attacks on her abilities and persevered, confident in the knowledge that she could help a group of runners achieve their goals.

She was correct.

For staying above the fray and focusing on what really was best for the athletes of Ocean City High School. And for using her many skills to assist two diverse programs, Trish Hopson is Ocean City’s 2003 SportsPerson of the Year.

Click here for a complete list of Ocean City's Sportspersons of the Year.

As the calendar year comes to an end, it is always a good time to look back on the top local sports stories. As is our custom, here are the 10 sports stories that seemed to generate the most interest among Ocean City fans in 2003:

1. The double win in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions by John Richardson, the first time any New Jersey runner had won both the 800 and 1600 meters in the same MOC.
2. A win in the NJSIAA Cross Country Meet of Champions and a second place in the Foot Locker Northeast Meet for sophomore Brittany Sedberry, leading to her second straight South Jersey Runner of the Year award.
3. Another state championship in boys soccer, this time without sharing the title with another team.
4. Another undefeated and championship season in girls cross country, including a South Jersey title and a spot in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.
5. CAL championships by OCHS field hockey, girls cross country, boys soccer, girls soccer and girls basketball teams.
6. Mike Galante placing fourth in the NJSIAA state wrestling tournament, then announcing his transfer to the Nationally-ranked Blair Academy for his senior year.
7. The retirement of Wayne Colman as Ocean City track coach after 27 years and his selection to the South Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame. And the return of Hall of Fame wrestler Pat Lynch as an OCHS assistant coach.
8. A South Jersey scoring title by Rachel Cheafsky in field hockey and All-State selections for John Richardson, Brittany Sedberry, Gwen Hunter and Rich Baker.
9. The addition of boys and girls varsity crew to the OCHS landscape for 2004.
10. The selection of OCHS grad Diane Snow for induction next month into the South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame.



Read more of Tom Williams' columns