When Dave Hopla came to Belfast in the '80's as a strugglingbasketball pro who would have believed that 30 years later he would return with the title of the 'best shooter in the world'.
Back in the 1980's Belfast wasn't the destination of choice for most foreigners looking for a sojourn.
The troubles, associated bad press and climate didn't exactly seem to offer prospective visa applicants an attractive and safe oversea's experience or apprenticeship! Many people who did come, were offered financial or other enticements and had to be reassured that they would be safe and happy here.
Those who took up the challenge tended to be people who valued experience over financial reward, may have had family connections here and could 'think outside the square'.
Many reluctantly came to Northern Ireland with the sole intention of putting some time in until a better opportunity came their way.
As an avid sports fan and someone actively involved in basketball here during the 1980's I have seen many American basketball players come to temporarily ply their trade playing in the National Leagues.
Most came with some trepidation but soon relaxed as locals offered hospitality and friendship far exceeding their expectations.
Dave Hopla, was such an import and what I like to call, quite literally, one of Belfast's 'Brightest Shooting Stars!' While at high school basketball had become Dave's passion but his relative short stature (5' 10") and the fact that the 3 point line wasn't introduced until the 1980's meant he was under-rated and overlooked in the USA.
He had decided at the tender age of 16 that hard work and "charting" his progress in log books would be the key to his success.
In 1981, after some persuasion by St Galls Club he agreed to lower his sights for a while and come to Belfast for a 5 month season.
He was a young guy with great ambition and few responsibilities in those days and although the standard of basketball wasn't perhaps first-rate, he loved the commitment, friendship and work ethic displayed by his new club mates.
Soon Dave and Belfast had a 'mutual admiration society' going and he ended up staying for 3 years! A long time in any aspiring sports professionals life.
It was probably while here in Belfast that Dave's career changed course and foundations were laid for his journey to becoming a world-class 'shot doctor' and motivator.
Dan Durkin, a fellow American and his coach at St Gall's identified early on that Dave had a unique set of talents: he was a brilliant technical shooter, was a bit of a show man and was not only a good communicator but had a natural 'gift of the gab'!! However it wasn't until much later after he retired as a player in mostly minor leagues that Dave's career and true vocation as a coach, mentor and motivational speaker began to flourish.
I was fortunate to be part of the Ulster Poly (now University of Ulster) women's basketball team which Dave agreed to coach to supplement his meagre player wage from St Galls.
Coaching us was a bit of a culture-shock to him.
We only played in local leagues and a few tournaments and our approach was somewhat more laissez-faire than he was used to in the high school and college regimes in USA.
Looking back we may have been the perfect assignment for him to hone his communication and coaching skills.
He adjusted to the challenge but still demanded commitment and high standards from us at training and during matches.
At first, we were somewhat giggly and awestruck by this blonde, blue-eyed, fast talking Adonis.
He focussed on coaching much-needed basic skills but added a life coaching aspect by regularly reminding us that through basketball we can develop more important life skills.
He had an ability to entertain and teach by using clever anagrams, humour, charm and showmanship to get his points across.
A few of his catch phrases were: "Perfect Practice Makes Perfect!", "Good is the enemy of GREAT!", "You guys couldn't catch a cold in Alaska!" (A less than subtle reference to our lack of ball catching skill!) "Time matters only to prisoners!" (Actually I'm still trying to figure that one out?!) One of his current motivational topics is S.
U.
C.
C.
E.
S.
S ( sacrifice, unselfishness, character, commitment, excellence & standards in someone).
The SUCCESS anagram is a catchy mechanism allowing him to use his life experience stories to demonstrate how anyone can attain success in life.
This method of delivery was crafted during some of those early coaching sessions in Belfast.
He would stand on the free throw line effortlessly shooting/swishing the basketball over and over again while at the same time 'shooting the breeze' and philosophizing!We all watched and listened attentively though admittedly most of us more admiring of his physique than his wisdom at the time.
While none of us went on to play at the highest level of basketball most of us have gone on to have successful, fulfilling lives and look back with fondness on those days with 'Coach Hopla'.
Belfast and Ireland left a lifelong impression on Dave's heart! He connected with the off beat sense of humour and was touched by the friendships he made within and outside of basketball circles.
He has described Northern Irish people as "...
the friendliest people in the world!"That affection is very much reciprocal so when he returned recently to celebrate a reunion with his old club St Gall's a good crowd turned up at Andersonstown Leisure Centre to see Dave play again and also to enjoy one of his shooting/motivational presentations.
Now in his early 50's Dave is still pushing himself and improving! He has accumulated almost 60 log books, recording in detail every shot he has ever taken!! He still consistently makes around 98% of the shots he takes while giving a motivational talk.
He holds records for the most NBA 3 pointers in a minute and the most free throws in a minute.
One of his most impressive personal records is 1234 successful free throws in a row.
It may look easy to some but believe me that is an amazing feat! He continues to coach kids and NBA stars to shoot better and be the best in life that they can be.
More importantly Dave seems happy and balanced in his own life and is still doing what he loves to do...
spend time with family, play basketball and teach.
Dave is just one example of an 'ordinary' person who came to Belfast, made a connection and then went on to become extremely successful.
Of course we can't take all the credit but I like to think he took away a little Belfast spirit which helped him on his way!!