Fork Union Military Academy's Coach Hooper Announces Retirement Following the 2018 Football Season
Fork Union Military Academy Prep Football Head Coach Mike Hooper has announced his retirement as head football coach following the 2018 season.
FORK UNION, Va., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Fork Union Military Academy Prep Football Head Coach Mike Hooper has announced his retirement as head football coach following the 2018 season.
"I have been fortunate to have been able to work and coach at Fork Union for a number of years, which has given me the opportunity to be involved with a great program and some very outstanding players and coaches," said Hooper. "I would like to thank all who made this possible because without them this journey would not have been as enjoyable or fun."
Hooper took over the Prep football program in March of 2016, following a lengthy career as assistant coach under Micky Sullivan and head Junior Prep coach. Hooper has been on staff at Fork Union Military Academy since 1988 and has taught Spanish and coached football, baseball, and other sports as needed at the Academy.
"Coach Hooper's decision to retire as head football coach is one he and I discussed a while back," said Director of Athletics Brooks Berry. "Mike Hooper came to FUMA in 1988 and for three decades has given his heart and soul to this football program, athletic program and school. It is not by coincidence that five years after his arrival, FUMA would begin a run of eight state championships in 18 years. As an assistant under Micky Sullivan and as head Junior Prep Coach, Mike Hooper was instrumental helping build the foundation of a successful high school football program and athletic department."
Born in Maryland but raised in the Tidewater area of North Carolina and Virginia, Hooper graduated from Isle of Wight Academy in 1973 and attended Brigham Young University. After serving a church mission to Guatemala from 1976 to 1978, Hooper transferred to Christopher Newport College (now Christopher Newport University) where he received his B.A. in Spanish in 1982.
"He is an Athletic Director's dream, when you need something done Hooper is the first to raise his hand and say how can I help. He has coached many sports here because he is always willing to do what is best for the team and program. As a man of principal and high character, our FUMA boys were always in great hands with Coach Hooper. He has made our boys at FUMA better men."
Hooper accepted his first teaching job in 1984, teaching mathematics and Spanish at Albemarle Academy in North Carolina. He soon returned to Isle of Wight Academy to teach Spanish and coach three sports, including the baseball team that went 15-0 and won the 1986 Virginia Academies Athletic Conference championship.
"Thanks to Coach Hooper Fork Union Military Academy is a better place. I look forward to many more years working alongside him as he transitions to a different role in Fork Union Athletics," closed Berry.
Fork Union Military Academy will immediately begin a search for the next Head Prep Football Coach, someone who will be the leader of our High School Football Program.
SOURCE Fork Union Military Academy
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