Everlasting Impact: Dr. Larry Hopkins Legacy Honored Through Endowed Scholarship
12/21/2021 12:00:00 PM | Football
Dr. Larry Hopkins was not only a trailblazer on the field, but off the field as well.
Dr. Larry Hopkins' impact on Wake Forest and Winston-Salem goes well beyond 2,212 rushing yards, the 1970 ACC Championship and his name written throughout the Demon Deacons football record book. The 1989 inductee into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame and Wake Forest's 2010 ACC Legend, who passed away late in 2020, 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.
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.
"I keep saying that this was the highlight of his career," Beth Hopkins said. "I think that this award is one of the finest that he's ever received."
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.
"That was one of the great highlights of his life to be a trustee on the Wake Forest board," she said. "He met some fabulous people. He served a great president, worked under super visionary athletic directors and appreciated the opportunity to help frame the direction of Wake Forest over a 30 year period."
With the 2021 season serving as the slightly delayed 50th anniversary celebration of the 1970 ACC Championship team, Dr. Hopkins' teammates thought it would be right to honor his legacy with a scholarship.
Beth was overwhelmed with emotions when his teammates from the 1970 team approached her about the scholarship, but also apprehensive. She was unsure if they would be able to raise the funds for a full scholarship during the pandemic. However, through the hard work of his former teammates and Athletics staff, the scholarship was fully endowed in Dr. Hopkins name.
"To know the legacy he leaves means everything," Beth Hopkins said. "It really means everything to me. He loved football and he loved academic pursuit. This scholarship would mean the world to him."
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 title 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.
"They were a very close team," Beth said. "And when we had the [50th anniversary] event that closeness was apparent and reestablished, even though I hadn't seen some of them for 50 years. We still rallied around one another during the numbers of good times and the not so good times.
"He loved Wake Forest, he loved everything about Wake Forest," Beth said. "It was a community that loved you and offered great opportunities for learning and establishing the future."
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.
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.
"I keep saying that this was the highlight of his career," Beth Hopkins said. "I think that this award is one of the finest that he's ever received."
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.
"That was one of the great highlights of his life to be a trustee on the Wake Forest board," she said. "He met some fabulous people. He served a great president, worked under super visionary athletic directors and appreciated the opportunity to help frame the direction of Wake Forest over a 30 year period."
With the 2021 season serving as the slightly delayed 50th anniversary celebration of the 1970 ACC Championship team, Dr. Hopkins' teammates thought it would be right to honor his legacy with a scholarship.
Beth was overwhelmed with emotions when his teammates from the 1970 team approached her about the scholarship, but also apprehensive. She was unsure if they would be able to raise the funds for a full scholarship during the pandemic. However, through the hard work of his former teammates and Athletics staff, the scholarship was fully endowed in Dr. Hopkins name.
"To know the legacy he leaves means everything," Beth Hopkins said. "It really means everything to me. He loved football and he loved academic pursuit. This scholarship would mean the world to him."
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 title 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.
"They were a very close team," Beth said. "And when we had the [50th anniversary] event that closeness was apparent and reestablished, even though I hadn't seen some of them for 50 years. We still rallied around one another during the numbers of good times and the not so good times.
"He loved Wake Forest, he loved everything about Wake Forest," Beth said. "It was a community that loved you and offered great opportunities for learning and establishing the future."
2025 Moffitt Ceremony
Wednesday, December 10
Wake Forest Head Coach Jake Dickert National Signing Day Press Conference
Thursday, December 04
Dec. 3, 2025: Coach Jake Dickert National Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, December 03
Steve Forbes Postgame Presser vs. Oklahoma
Wednesday, December 03