2004 Class
Robert G. Ronai and Theodore "Trip" Hopkins
2004 Hall of Fame Inductees
Robert G. Ronai, a native of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and currently of London, Ohio, was the 22nd member to be inducted into the Urbana University Esquire Hall of Fame Saturday, January 24. Ronai, Urbana University Head Men's Basketball Coach and Athletic Director from 1986-97, is the second coach to be inducted.
Ronai brought a fierce competitive nature to the Blue Knights. He owned a 210-140 career record while coaching the Blue Knights. He holds the single season record for most wins in a season for men's basketball with 26 (1991-92, 1992-93, and 1996-97).During his tenure, six different Blue Knight basketball players earned NAIA All-America status, Donnie Gillespie (Honorable Mention in 1997); Jerry "J.J." White (Honorable Mention in 1996 and First Team in 1997); Jerry Ligon (Third Team in 1994); Wade Goins (First Team in 1993); Wyatt Goins (Honorable Mention in 1992); and Brett Baker (Honorable Mention in 1990).
He was also named Mid-Ohio Conference and District 22 Coach of the Year in 1993 after guiding the Blue Knight men's basketball team to their second straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. That 1993 team finished in the Elite Eight and won the tournament's Emil Liston-James Naismith Sportsmanship Award. Ronai won the Charles Krigel Award for coaching that team. Urbana was ranked as high as 7th nationally (the highest rating by any Blue Knight team), in the 1992-93 campaign.
Not only did he reap results on the court, but also as an administrator. Ronai served as athletic director of Urbana University for 11 years and in that time he was a two-time NAIA District 22 Administrator of the Year. He was honored in 1992 and once again in 1993. Ronai was president of the former Mid-Ohio Conference for three terms. He was key in the formation of the Mid-States Football Association in 1994 in which Urbana was a charter member. He was also a member of the District 22 Executive Committee.
From 1997-99 he coached at Frostburg State University and lead them to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference tournament championship game two years in a row.
In 1999 Ronai returned to high school coaching at Cathedral Prep in Erie, PA and then back to London, Ohio where he earned Buckeye Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2002 for leading his team to the BAC and Sectional championships. Coach Ronai has taken every downtrodden team he has coached and turned the programs around. He is currently at tradition-laden Middletown (Ohio) high school where he is in the process of revamping a program that has been down for the past several years.
A native of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Ronai received his bachelor's degree from St. Francis College in Fort Wayne, Ind. He lettered in soccer, basketball and baseball. Ronai went on to earn his master's degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. Prior to his stint at Urbana, Ronai coached on the prep level at Massanutten Academy in Woodstock, Virginia, and at Mars Hill College in North Carolina.
He and his wife Debbie are the parents of four children: Jason, James (deceased), Jared and Janeale.
Theodore "Trip" Hopkins, of Columbus, Ohio, was inducted into the Urbana University Hall of Fame Saturday, January 24. He is the 21st member and third football player to be inducted into the Blue Knight Esquire Hall of Fame. He is the only Blue Knight to score touchdowns via pass, run, catch, punt return and kick return.
Trip became the first Blue Knight to earn NAIA 1st team All-American honors, after leading the nation in punt returns (16.7 yards per return) in 1993, including a 68-yard return for a touchdown vs. Tiffin University. He was also nationally ranked in kickoff returns (31 returns for a 23.8 yard average and two TDs). He was a NAIA All-District 22 selection as well. In 1994 he was named a preseason All-American for special teams by Football Preview Magazine. He also earned 2nd Team All-Mid-States Football Association as a wide receiver in 1994. In 1992 he was a NAIA All-District 22 Honorable Mention wide receiver. Hopkins played in two College Football National All-Star Games.
"The lightning-quick Columbus native is probably the most exciting player in Urbana football history. His 1st Team All-America status speaks for itself, especially since his production remained steady last year even with teams kicking away from him and keying on his every move. Trip Hopkins is a dangerous return man," as was reported in the Urbana University Football 1994 media guide.
In the opening game of the 1993 season, Hopkins set a school record with a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a 49-21 win over Taylor University. Hopkins also scored on 56- and 49-yard receptions.
Hopkins holds several Blue Knight returning records: kickoff returns in a career with 57 (91-94); kickoff return yards in a game with 134 vs. Taylor (09/04/93); in his career with 1,230; punt returns in a game: 4 vs. Tiffin (10/09/93); in his career: 52 (91-94); punt return yards in a game with 94 vs. Tiffin (10/09/93); in a season 217 in 1993; in a career 497 (91-94).
After his successful tenure at Urbana University, Trip went on to a professional football combine and pursued individual workouts for various pro teams. Trip graduated from Urbana with a bachelor of arts degree in communication. He is currently the Education Coordinator for The Columbus Urbana League, Inc. He is also a sought after speaker dealing with youth development and motivation, both locally and nationally. Trip currently volunteers to coach youth football and basketball in the Columbus community.
Trip Hopkins is the son of Theodore & Pamila Hopkins. In September of 2003 Trip was married to Kyra Harrison of Columbus, Ohio. He has two children Justin (11) and Tripp (3). Trip has two siblings Tasha and Tracee' Hopkins.