Former Roughriders president and CEO Jim Hopson dead at 73

Jim Hopson, a former player and president of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, has sadly passed away at 73 after a three-year fight with colon cancer.

Hopson, a Regina native, was a dedicated player for the Roughriders from 1973 to 1976, helping the team reach the west final each season.

However, his most significant impact was as the club’s first full-time CEO and president. Under his leadership, the Roughriders competed for the Grey Cup in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013, winning in 2007 and 2013.

Hopson’s guidance also led the organization to become the Canadian Football League’s top merchandiser, outselling all other CFL teams combined.

His contributions were recognized with several awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and the CFL’s Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award in 2014. He was also inducted into several Halls of Fame.

To honor his legacy, the Roughriders recently renamed their football operations auditorium the Jim Hopson Auditorium. Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds praised Hopson’s leadership, stating that he ushered in a new era for the organization.

“As president, Jim ushered in a new era for our organization that included two Grey Cup Championships, incredible financial success, and perhaps most importantly, a belief in Roughrider football that will never fade away. But more than that, Jim was an optimist, someone who made you feel better by just being around him and a friend to all who knew him.”