Northeastern University Athletics

Mark Hopkins, Class of 1996, has been elected to the Northeastern University Varsity Club Hall of Fame for excellence in the sports of baseball and football.

Hopkins is one of those rare athletes that can excel in two separate disciplines.
Hopkins, a native of Plainfield, N.J., was a three-sport star at Seton Hall Prep in baseball, football and track, and captained the football and track teams. He was named All-Conference and All-State, leading to his arrival at Northeastern.

In his freshman year of 1991-92, Hopkins was redshirted in football, but became a standout at Friedman Diamond as a speedy outfielder, hitting .341 and stealing seven bases.

In his first season of football, Hopkins was used on special teams for returning punts. In baseball as a sophomore, he led the team in batting for the second consecutive year with a .365 average that was also good for second in America East. He led the team in hits (42), runs scored (24) and steals (9).

In his second football season, Hopkins was switched from wide receiver to defensive back and responded with 61 tackles and four interceptions. His junior year of baseball in 1994, the Huskies went 35-16, won the Beanpot and the America East championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Hopkins hit .311, scored 39 runs and had 52 hits. On the base paths, he proved to be a whirling dervish, stealing 27 bases and setting an NU record that still stands today. He was voted to the conference All-Tournament team.

In the 1994 football season Hopkins was spectacular. Hopkins had 42 tackles and seven interceptions, good for sixth in the Husky season record book. It also tied him with William & Mary All-American Darren Sharper, currently the leader of the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, for most interceptions in the conference. The highlight of the season came in the last home game versus Maine. Hopkins’ mother, Yvonne, a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company, sang a stirring rendition of the national anthem, and, in the closing minutes of the game, Hopkins intercepted a pass and scooted 86 yards for a touchdown to defeat the Black Bears 23-16.

In his last baseball season, he registered a .329 batting average, stole 11 bases and was voted All-America East. His career batting average of .333 landed him sixth in the Husky hierarchy and his 54 steals ranks him third.

The 1995 football season was his last. He had 46 tackles, five interceptions and was voted All-Yankee Conference. His career 16 interceptions left him fourth in the NU record books.

Hopkins currently resides in Cranbury, N.J., and works at Health Fitness Corporation.