Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame
The most successful season in Linfield College soccer history, which saw the Wildcats lose just once in 23 matches, would never have been achieved without the superb play-making ability of Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Shanon Hopkins of the Class of 2001.
Former Linfield coach Steve Simmons calls Hopkins “one of the most instinctive goal scorers I’ve had the honor to coach. His knack to find space out of nowhere and turn a half chance into a goal sets him apart from so many others. When you combine those natural instincts with his tenacity and sheer will to win, you’ve got a special student-athlete.”
As evidence of his uncanny skill for timely goals, Hopkins scored a school-record 14 match-winning goals. He capped a brilliant four-year career ranking second all-time in total points (81), goals (37), and shot attempts (186). In the single-season record book, he ranks No. 2 for match-winning goals (7) and goals scored (12).
In the fall of 2000, Hopkins and the Wildcats not only went undefeated in Northwest Conference play to win the program’s first league championship, they also prevailed in three NCAA Division III playoff matches – and very nearly a fourth – all on the road.
Heading to Minnesota for the opening round of the playoffs, Linfield knocked off Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 4-0 and eliminated host Gustavas Adolphus 4-2. In the quarterfinals in Ohio, the Wildcats shocked No. 1-ranked Ohio Wesleyan, snapping the Battling Bishops’ 59-match home unbeaten streak.
Traveling across the country for a third consecutive weekend to compete in the Final Four at Glassboro, New Jersey, Linfield took a 2-0 first-half lead on undefeated Messiah College, only to watch as the Falcons rallied for a 3-2 win.
A starter in 60 career contests, Hopkins was a three-time first team all-Northwest Conference performer and was the NWC Player of the Year as a senior in 2001.
Graduating from Linfield with a bachelor’s degree in international business, Hopkins and his family moved to Hawaii in 2005. He went on to complete a master’s degree at the University of Hawaii two years later.
Today, Hopkins is Vice President and Assistant Chief Credit Officer at Hawaii Farm Credit.
He continues to be involved with soccer, competing in local men’s and co-ed leagues as well as serving as a board member and treasurer for the American Youth Soccer Organization. He is an active member of the Kiwanis organization.
Shanon and his wife, Elenita, are raising four children: Anela (14), Kaia (12), Stryker (11), and Roxy (9).
