University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Profile - Brandon Hopkins
October 17, 2001 | Baseball
Oct. 17, 2001
Vol Profile: Brandon Hopkins
VOL PROFILE: You've been described as the team comedian, what do you do to try to keep the team loose?
Hopkins: "Hopefully, the main thing about playing this game is having fun. I like to bring a little atmosphere, and comedy to the team, but in the same token I like to keep it a little bit serious when we go on the field. But off the field it's all fun and games for me."
VOL PROFILE: Why did you decide to come to the University of Tennessee?
Hopkins: "It was easy for me. I got recruited by several schools, but I'm a local guy and the importance of my family being able to see me play and growing up a UT fan, it made my decision really easy for me."
VOL PROFILE: Do you have any specific goals you've set for the upcoming season?
Hopkins: "Well my main goal is to go an entire season without injury. Last year I hit 370 and I want to hit around 400 this year and I want to hit more home runs, like 10 or so. Mainly, I want to get back to Omaha."
VOL PROFILE: What is your favorite or most memorable moment on the field?
Hopkins: Probably East Carolina last year in the NCAA Super Regional. I came up with bases loaded, two outs in the ninth, and we were down one run and I hit a single that scored two runs that gave us the lead, and we went on to win that game as we advanced to Omaha. That's probably my biggest or best memory playing at UT."
VOL PROFILE: What are you interests or hobbies outside of baseball?
Hopkins: "I love to play golf, but unfortunately I just had reconstructive surgery on my shoulder, so I can't do anything baseball-wise, or on the golf course. But I love to play golf."
VOL PROFILE: What are the expectations after your surgery?
Hopkins: My surgeon, Dr. Mathien, told me I am pretty much sidelined for the fall, so I am looking forward to rehab and getting my arm strong and ready to go for the spring. Coach Delmonico wants me to work on my bunting game--stuff that I can do now.
VOL PROFILE: Do you have any superstitions, or mental preparation you go through before a game?
Hopkins: "I'm not a real superstitious guy, I've been known to change the grip on my bat a couple hundred times during the season if I go in a couple games, I've been known to do a little different tape job on the bat. As far as mental preparation, there's not a whole lot, I set my individual game goals for a couple hits a game, and try to just help the team win defensively in center field, which is hopefully where I will be at this year."
VOL PROFILE: What is your favorite thing about UT?
Hopkins: "I love the football games, and just the people here. The coaching staff is great."
VOL PROFILE: Do you have anyone you look to for motivation, or a hero you try to mold yourself after?
Hopkins: "I have a lot of favorite players, a couple of teammates last year, Jeff Christensen and Chris Burke. I tried to follow those guys last year and a couple years before on and off the field. As far as the big leagues, I like the way Ken Griffey, Jr. plays and I think the best player in the game is obviously Barry Bonds, so I look to him to see how he plays."
VOL PROFILE: After you graduate, what would you like to be remembered for?
Hopkins: "I want to be remembered as a player that did go to Omaha and got team back on the map, the University of Tennessee baseball back on the map. I want to leave here a 300 hitter or better, and just a guy that was fun to be around."
