2010 Inductee Tom Lopeman, 1964
One of the most talented overall athletes to ever suit up for the Red and White was Tom Lopeman, a 1964 graduate of Bellevue High School. Tom earned a total of seven varsity letters over the course of his three years in high school – three in football, three in track and field, and one in wrestling.
In football, Tom is one of only three players to earn a letter and start on a three straight championship teams in 1961, 1962, and 1963. The other two that can claim the same are Marc McClain and Dick Seymour, both who are already enshrined in the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 1961, Tom was honorable mention All-Northern Ohio League defense. He followed that up with an honorable mention All-NOL selection for both offense and defense in 1962. His senior year of 1963, Tom was co-captain for the Redmen. He also earned first team All-NOL defense and offense. His ability also earned him a second team, All-Ohio nod during that same season.
Tom earned three letters in track and field, setting the pole vault record in 1963 at 12-feet, 3-inches.
In wrestling, Tom was a member of the first-ever wrestling team at BHS, earning one varsity letter.
Tom continued his athletic career in college, earning a scholarship to play football at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, AZ. He was co-captain of the team in 1965 and in 1966, earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Nevada in Reno. Shortly thereafter, Tom was drafted into the Marine Corps. The university held his scholarship for three years, but due to injuries sustained in the service, he was unable to return to play football.
In 1969, Tom was the victim of a serious accident when a Navy vehicle hit him while he was riding a motorcycle, resulting in 33 fractures. He has been in and out of hospitals ever since, surviving two open heart surgeries while eventually losing both of his legs.
However, Tom’s spirit was strong. He coached tennis for one year in 1974, coached freshman football in 1974, and from 1986-2006, was a volunteer pole vault coach at Prescott High School in Phoenix, AZ.
Tom had the honor of coaching his son to a state championship in the pole vault (15-feet, ½-inch), and coached five other state placers.
Over the years, Tom has participated in the Veteran’s National Creative Arts Festival in 1996 and 1998, taking the gold medal in the clog dance; took part in the 2003 Veteran’s Wheelchair Game; was a silver medalist in bowling; rode 150 miles on his handcycle, raising money for Multiple Sclerosis Research in both 2003 and 2004; and from 2005 to the present, he has been a member of the Coyote Sled Hockey Team.
Tom’s heroic story has been featured time and time again in newspaper and magazine articles. “Through the years of pain, hospital visits, and surgeries, Lopeman oaccasionally wondered why the Lord wanted him alive,” said an article in the Prescott (AZ) Daily Courier. “I think the reason I’m alive may have something to do with me being able to help these kids with their pole vaulting,” Lopeman was quoted as saying. “Those kids became ours. They have helped me as much as I’ve helped them through the years. They’re all fantastic.”
Tom resides in Prescott, AZ with his wife, Sharon. They are parents of two children.