For Alex Young-Jopke '15, induction into the Husson Sports Hall of Fame represents more than recognition of what he accomplished on the football field.

It represents the teammates, coaches and community that helped transform Husson football and laid the foundation for one of the most successful stretches in program history.

Young-Jopke played on the offensive line for the Eagles from 2010-11 and again from 2013-14, appearing in 32 games and making 27 starts. By the time his career ended, Young-Jopke had developed into one of the program's premier offensive linemen and helped Husson capture its first Eastern Collegiate Football Conference championship.

More than a decade later, those accomplishments have earned Young-Jopke a place in the Husson Sports Hall of Fame.

"It was honestly a little surreal," Young-Jopke said of receiving the call from head coach Nat Clark. "I never played the game thinking about something like the Hall of Fame, I just wanted to be a good teammate, compete and help us win. So to get that call from Coach Clark and know that my time at Husson meant enough to be remembered this way was incredibly humbling."



Young-Jopke's individual accomplishments certainly warrant the recognition.

As a senior in 2014, he earned American Coaches Football Network Preseason All-American and All-American honors, in addition to being named Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. A two-time all-conference selection in 2013 and 2014, Young-Jopke was later selected to the Noontime Sports Maine Team of the Decade for 2010-19.

Still, when Young-Jopke reflects on his career, he remembers the environment that allowed him and his teammates to succeed.

"The competitive environment my coaches and teammates helped build," Young-Jopke said of what led to his consistency. "The energy during pre-practice and warmup that created our high-tempo competitive practices were a direct correlation to our success on Saturdays."

That competitiveness helped culminate in a historic 2014 season.

Husson entered its matchup against Mount Ida College with an opportunity to secure the first ECFC championship in program history. The Eagles came away with the victory, giving Young-Jopke what remains his favorite memory from his collegiate career.

"Winning the game versus Mt. Ida in 2014 to secure the first-ever ECFC championship in program history," Young-Jopke said.



That championship proved to be much more than a single successful season.

It began a run of five-consecutive ECFC championships for the Eagles and helped establish a winning culture within the program throughout the latter half of the decade.

For Young-Jopke, who served as a team captain and took pride in helping change the program's culture, knowing that the work of his teammates helped create a foundation for future Eagles carries tremendous significance.

"It means so much to me," Young-Jopke said. "As a team captain and someone who helped to change the culture of the program, it's all you can wish for. That your hard work and sacrifices you make become part of the makeup of the identity of the program."

Yet, Young-Jopke's memories of Husson extend well beyond football.

When he looks back on his time in Bangor, one of the things that stands out most is the support the football program received from seemingly every corner of the University.

"There are so many great football memories, but honestly, in general, the support from the entire community," Young-Jopke said. "Whether it was the incredible dining staff, professors, student body or members of the community, we truly felt we had the support of the entire Husson community behind us."



Those relationships and experiences helped shape Young-Jopke well beyond his time wearing the green and gold.

A native of South Thomaston, Maine and graduate of Rockland High School, Young-Jopke earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in sport management from Husson in 2015. 

Following graduation, football took Young-Jopke across the Atlantic.

He signed with the Cottbus Crayfish in Germany and played for the club as an import player from 2015-21. Following his retirement from playing, Young-Jopke moved into coaching, taking over as the team's offensive coordinator. In 2023, the Crayfish won their league championship and earned promotion to the GFL2.

Away from football, Young-Jopke has spent the past five years working as a bilingual kindergarten teacher.

Whether in the classroom, on the sideline or at home, Young-Jopke continues to rely on many of the lessons he learned at Husson.

"It taught me about hard work, accountability and being part of something bigger than yourself," Young-Jopke said. "The relationships I built with my teammates, coaches and people around the university have stayed with me long after football. A lot of the lessons I learned there are things I now try to pass on as a teacher, a coach, a husband and a father."



Young-Jopke credits former Husson coaches Gabby Price and Nat Clark with providing him the opportunity to become an Eagle and helping shape him through their coaching and mentorship. 

He also credits his parents for their constant support throughout his football career and his wife, Cindy, for continuing to embrace the role football plays in their lives.

Now, Young-Jopke joins the group of Husson athletes he once admired himself.

"As far as personal accomplishments go, it is number one," Young-Jopke said of his induction. "I can't think of a better way to be honored than to be mentioned alongside the greatest athletes in the history of the university."

Young-Jopke remembers attending meetings and events in Husson's Hall of Fame room and looking at the names of those who helped establish the University's athletic tradition. His name now becomes part of that history.

But for Young-Jopke, the honor also belongs to the teammates who stood beside him and helped change the direction of Husson football.

"Husson truly is a special place that forever holds a dear place in my heart," Young-Jopke said. "I am truly blessed to be given this honor and represent the group of men I played alongside with, whom I have the utmost respect for."