The former president of the Saskatchewan Roughriders has a new book out.
Jim Hopson has teamed up with longtime Regina Leader-Postsports writer Darrell Davis to write Running the Riders, My Decade as CEO of Canada’s Team, which is to be released Nov. 9. The book launch is officially set for Nov. 12.
Hopson was an offensive lineman with the Riders who went on to a career in education as a teacher, principal and administrator before becoming the Roughriders’ CEO.
His term at the top coincided with the most successful period in the franchise’s history, with four Grey Cup appearances and two wins.
Before that time, the Roughriders had trouble not only winning but staying afloat. Hopson became the team’s first full-time CEO, with a belief the team could be successful both on the field and off.
During Hopson’s time with the Roughriders the franchise became the Canadian Football League’s strongest, selling more team merchandise than the other eight CFL franchises combined. They erased their debt and posted a record-setting profit of $10.4 million after their Grey Cup win in 2013, which has been described as the biggest moment in the 105-year-old team’s history.
Described as “an emotional man with a firm disposition, Jim Hopson describes the highs and lows that went along with the job and the path he took, professionally and personally, to the biggest office with the franchise known as ‘Canada’s Team.’” according to the book’s media release. He retired as CEO in 2015, and has become a sought-after keynote speaker at conventions and business gatherings around the province.
The book sells for $19.95 and can be purchased at http://driverworks.ca/Running-the-Riders.php, McNally Robinson Booksellers Saskatoon, Chapters, Indigo, Coles and other stores
