PROVO, Utah (Apr. 9, 2004) This year's recipient of The Floyd Johnson Service Award went to track and field and cross-country athlete Jeff Hopkinson.
Hopkinson, a senior who graduated with an English degree last April, is one of 13 student athletes honored at this year's Y Awards.
The Floyd Johnson Service Award is given to an athlete who contributes his time and talents to the service of others, as well as, spending a significant amount of time outside the realms of the everyday grind of balancing school and sports.
Coach Ed Eyestone feels Hopkinson is a worthy recipient of this year's award.
"He's always been very service oriented," Eyestone said. "Whenever there's been an opportunity they've talked to us about, he's always been one of those guys who's wanted to do it."
Eyestone said Hopkinson is an extremely hard worker and is a leader both on and off the field of track. He also noted many of his athletes are service oriented, but Hop (his nickname) is one of those guys who looks for ways in which he can share his time and talents to help provide a better means for some one else.
"All the athletes enjoy doing service once they get out there," Eyestone said.
"But not a lot of them end up getting out there, but he's (Hopkinson) the one who takes the initiative."
Some activities and services Hopkinson was involved in are: The Buff Don't Puff, humanity programs, the Utah Food Bank, and singing Christmas carols at a local nursing home.
"I was pretty surprised that I won the award," said Hopkinson.
As a student athlete trying to balance the time between practice and school is something student athletes may struggle doing. But Hopkinson finds a way to balance it all and find the time to serve others.
Why Hopkinson contributes his time and effort to others he says is because of the personal growth and development that comes from giving service.
"Service benefits each individual athlete," Hopkinson said. "But an important fact is it shows that athletes are real people and that they care about the community"