Always Remembered: Wake Forest University Legend, Dr. Larry Hopkins
11/9/2020 7:35:00 PM | General
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest University legend Dr. Larry Hopkins, a true trailblazer in the Winston-Salem and University community for 50 years, has passed away at the age of 70.
Wake Forest fans may best remember "Hoppy" for his role in the Deacons' 14-13 victory against North Carolina in which he scored the winning touchdown as the Deacs ran to their first-ever ACC football championship in 1970.
In his two seasons in Winston-Salem, Hopkins was a two-time all-conference selection and led the Deacons to their first back-to-back winning seasons since joining the ACC. Hopkins still holds the single-season program record with 1,228 yards during the 1971 campaign. He also set a then school record of 111.6 yards rushing per game.
A 1989 inductee into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame and Wake Forest's 2010 ACC Legend, Hopkins was not only a trailblazer on the field, but off the field as well. In 1972, he became the first African-American to graduate from Wake Forest with a degree in chemistry. After declining a contract from the New England Patriots, Hopkins enrolled in the Wake Forest School of Medicine where he earned his degree in 1977.
Prior to beginning his obstetrics and gynecology practice in Winston-Salem in 1983, Dr. Hopkins completed his residency at Virginia Commonwealth University and served our country as an officer in the United States Air Force for two years. During that period, he rose through the military ranks to Major in the Medical Corps.
Dr. Hopkins legacy of service included co-directing the Women's Health Center in Winston-Salem. The Center focused on improving prenatal care and reducing infant mortality, and dramatically raised the level of healthcare for African-American women in Winston-Salem. Dr. Hopkins delivered thousands of babies in Winston-Salem including Chris Paul who told Hopkins that he was one of the children Dr. Hopkins delivered during his 30-plus year career in medicine.
Earlier this year, Dr. Hopkins was the recipient of Wake Forest's 2020 Medallion of Merit citation for his compassionate, expert care as a beloved physician, valued role model and teacher for hundreds of students in our Medical School.
He joined Wake Forest's School of Medicine as an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in 1996. In addition to volunteer work with many community and professional organizations, Dr. Hopkins served on Wake Forest's Alumni Council, Board of Visitors, and since 1986, on the Board of Trustees. In 1987, Dr. Hopkins received the Distinguished Alumni Award for his service to the University, the field of medicine and the Winston-Salem community.
Hopkins is survived by his wife Beth and two children, Michelle, who is a mental rehab counselor, and David, who is a professional tennis player, and two grandchildren.
Quotes:
Wake Forest Director of Athletics, John Currie:
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"We are saddened by the passing of Dr. Larry Hopkins, a great person and leader of Wake Forest University for more than 50 years. An inductee of the Wake Forest University Sports Hall of Fame, Wake Forest Medallion of Merit award winner and a true trailblazer in the Winston-Salem community, Dr. Hopkins' legacy touched generations of Wake Forest students, staff and Winston-Salem families. On behalf of the entire Wake Forest athletics family, we extend our sympathies to his wife Beth, their children Michelle and David, and their grandchildren."
Wake Forest Football Head Coach, Dave Clawson:
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"Dr. Larry Hopkins made a tremendous impact on Wake Forest football and our entire Winston-Salem community. I always appreciated our interactions and had immense respect for him. Since I came to Wake Forest, I enjoyed getting to know him and to learn from his wisdom and the stories of the program's history he shared with me. Everyone associated with our program is saddened by his passing and our thoughts are with Beth and his family."
Former Wake Forest Director of Athletics, Ron Wellman:
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"Larry Hopkins served Wake Forest exceptionally well throughout his life. Not only was he a star running back on the 1970 ACC football championship team, but he also served as a University Trustee for many terms. He was especially helpful to me when he served on the Athletics Committee of the Board of Trustees. He was a dear friend who has given me many fond memories. Linda and my prayers are with his wife, Beth, and their family during this difficult time."
Former Wake Forest Director of Athletics, Dr. Gene Hooks:
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"Larry Hopkins was the epitome of what we want our student-athletes to achieve on and off the field. His character and the way he led by example was extremely special. Athletically, I remember our win over North Carolina 1970 so well and he was outstanding in that game and the entire ACC Championship season. I was fortunate to meet Larry and Beth many times and they were a wonderful couple. I will greatly miss him."
Wake Forest Teammate, Steve Bowden:
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"I was the person assigned to recruit Larry to Wake Forest, and fortunate for us he came. Additionally, I suspect I was the first person he met when he came to campus. Over time, not only did we become best friends, but we decided to be roommates together in our senior year. I made a true friend for life and I got to be around someone who was not only dynamic on the football field, but was an extremely dedicated student. Fortunately, some of that rubbed off on me. Larry was an understated individual, both on the field on and off. I have lost one of my dear friends."
Wake Forest Teammate, Larry Russell:
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"Larry Hopkins is truly an inspiration to me and my entire family. Over the past 50 years, I would look forward to hugging him and us calling each other nicknames each time I would come back to Winston-Salem and Wake Forest. I always made sure to remind him that I was taller than him. It was special to play alongside him during a miracle season that led to a championship, but it was even greater to follow the example he set forth on a daily basis. His influence on the Winston-Salem community and at Wake Forest is truly special and I am extremely blessed to call him one of my closest friends. My thoughts and prayers are with Beth and the entire Hopkins family during this extremely difficult time."
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