University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagles Help Their Own
10/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 18, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - A tough week for Southern Miss defensive coordinator Jay Hopson in particular and the Golden Eagles football program in general was made a little easier thanks to the generosity of Nick Welch and Mark Roberts.
Welch and Roberts, partners in the Eastern Fishing and Tool Company, flew Hopson and his wife, Michelle, to Indianapolis and back as Hopson underwent tests and treatment at Indiana University Cancer Center after he was diagnosed with a recurrence of testicular cancer.
Hopson, 39, had first battled the disease in 1995, and been cancer-free since. But after a check-up in Vicksburg indicated that the disease was back, Hopson sought a second opinion from the same medical center that treated American cycling star Lance Armstrong and former USM baseball standout Michael Artman.
"It is amazing the generosity and caring of these two individuals and it just goes to show you that in tough times, Golden Eagles stick together for each other," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Richard Giannini. "Also, I would like to thank all of those individuals who have showed their support for Jay through calls, and more specifically, prayer. It really goes to show you that prayer really works."
Hopson returned to the practice field Tuesday afternoon, and will accompany the Golden Eagles (3-3, 2-1 Conference USA) when they visit Marshall (0-6, 0-2) at 7 p.m. Sunday at Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W.Va.
