The Dave Hopper Rodeo Scholarship Endowment was established by Dave in 2001. The scholarship was made possible by many various donors and is awarded to students in the Texas Tech Rodeo Association.

Mr. Hopper earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas Tech in 1955 and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education in 1957. He was a member of the Texas Tech National Intercollegiate Championship Rodeo Team in 1955 and was the 1957 National Intercollegiate Bareback Riding Champion. For 14 years Mr. Hopper traveled the rodeo circuit as a professional rodeo cowboy. Dave was president and partner of Champion Feeders in Hereford for more than 30 years.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Hopper had served on the board of directors for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the National Cattlemen's Association. He has served on a variety of committees for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association and was made a Charter Member in 1967. He was also on the board of governors of national Cattlemen's Beef Association (1996 to 1997), member of the Live Cattle Marketing Committee (1996 to 1997) and a member of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser's Association since 1977. Dave has volunteered his time with the National Cattlemen Association and received the Hereford Cattlewomen's Appreciation Award in 1982. Mr. Hopper also received the Syntex VIP Award in 1986. Mr. Hopper was a member of the Hereford Lions Club, Texas Tech Red Raiders Club, founding committee and board of directors and officer for Hereford YMCA, United Way of Deaf Smith County for 14 years, Sports Committee and Agriculture Committee for Deaf Smith County, Chamber of Commerce for 16 years, board of directors for the Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce (1978 to 1980), Bull Chip Award recipient for Outstanding Community Service in 1993, board of directors, Executive Committee of Hereford Whiteface Booster Club (1967 to 1997), Hereford Red Raider Club Chairman (1975 - 1997), Texas Tech Ex-Students Association Century Club (1963 to 1997), Red Raider Club Board of Directors (1979 to 1997) and president of Texas Tech Red Raider Club, just to mention a few. He was a very active member with the Texas Tech and State of Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Texas Tech Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1987, PRCA Gold Card Membership Award in 1982. Dave was the president in 1979 of the Texas Tech Red Raider Club. Mr. Hopper was a member and Deacon (1967 to 1989) and ordained Elder in 1989 at the First Presbyterian Church in Hereford.

Dave and Joan married on December 12, 1957. Joan also attended Texas Tech University and graduated in 1956 with a degree in marketing. They had one daughter, Robin in 1967.

To support this scholarship, “Give Now” online.

Contact

Alex Yack
Alex.Yack@ttu.edu
Senior Director of Development
806.742.2802

Matt Williams
matt.williams@ttu.edu
Director of Development
806.742.2802

Shelbey Havens
shelbey.havens@ttu.edu
Assistant Director of Development
806.834.1108