Northwestern University Athletics
Getting To Know: Matt Hopfner
3/18/2016 11:34:00 AM | Baseball, General
Matt Hopfner is a pitcher/outfielder for the Northwestern baseball team. Hopfner, who hails from Edina, Minnesota, is having a stellar start to his junior campaign, which should be no surprise to fans of the program. Hopfner has been making an impact ever since he donned the NU uniform in 2014. A member of the All-Big Ten Freshman Team two seasons ago, 'Hoppy' has played in 109 career games at NU both in the field and on the mound. Currently, Hopfner is leading the team with a .419 batting average and ranks first in the Big Ten Conference with 26 hits.
With the baseball team set to take off on its spring break trip, NUSports.com caught up with Hopfner for this week's edition of "Getting to Know."
NUSports.com: What made you fall in love with the game of baseball?
Matt Hopfner: Growing up watching the Minnesota Twins games on TV, they had some pretty good teams in the early 2000s, and just watching them every day with my dad helped me to grow a love for the game.
What's your favorite Northwestern baseball memory?
It would have to be our come-from-behind win over Iowa last season. We were down by 10 runs in the seventh inning and we came back and Zach Jones hit a walk-off single. It was a great team victory.
What's your pregame routine and are you superstitious?
I am not superstitious. I refuse to believe that any pair of socks or underwear will change the way we play, but when things are not going well I like to switch things up a little bit and be a little goofy in the locker room. I'll wear a fedora or a goofy hat just to try and change up the mood a little bit.
What's the hardest class you have taken at Northwestern?
It's probably a tie between chemistry my freshman year and intermediate microeconomics. We really had to grind through that intermediate microeconomics, but we made it out okay in the end.
What's your favorite spot on campus and in Chicago?
On campus, I would say down by the rocks on the lakefront. Whenever I have family or friends come to visit I make sure to show them that because it's such an impressive part of our campus.
In Chicago, I love going down to Wrigley Field to catch a game.
How difficult is it to come in to pitch mid-game from your right field position?
It's not necessarily easy. It's hard to find time to get your warm-up pitches in between hitting and fielding during the game. I definitely do enjoy pitching because whenever I can get the ball in my hands, on the mound, it's a good thing. I like to feel in control of the game, so as much pitching as I can get in makes me happy.
Who is your favorite player of all-time?
Probably Derek Jeter. I am not a big Yankees fan, but I really respect Jeter and how he played the game. He was so clutch and made such an impact during games, he set the tone for the next generation of ball players.
What are your thoughts on the new Rocky and Berenice Miller Park?
Honestly, I can't wait to play in it. With recruiting, it is going to make such a huge impact. I don't know how you could pick a different school. With the completion of this stadium, there is no better all-around, student-athlete experience in college baseball. I am really excited to get it going in the new park and get some wins.
If you are not in class or playing baseball, where can we find Matt Hopfner?
I spend a lot of time in class and baseball, but if I weren't doing either one of those things…you could probably find my roommates and I going to the movies or grilling out on our front patio and watching sports.
What sport would you play if you didn't play baseball?
Hockey. I am from the 'State of Hockey' and it's a huge part of the culture up there. Hockey is another game I love. Whenever I go home I always play at the outdoor rinks with my friends.
What is your dream job?
My dream job is to be a Major League Baseball player. It's always been my dream since I was a little kid. I am going to work towards that dream for as long as I can.
What is your walk-up song going to be this year?
That's a great question. I am tempted to go with T.I.'s 'What You Know' because that's been Joe Mauer's for as long as I can remember. Unless something dramatically changes, I'll go with that.
With the baseball team set to take off on its spring break trip, NUSports.com caught up with Hopfner for this week's edition of "Getting to Know."
NUSports.com: What made you fall in love with the game of baseball?
Matt Hopfner: Growing up watching the Minnesota Twins games on TV, they had some pretty good teams in the early 2000s, and just watching them every day with my dad helped me to grow a love for the game.
What's your favorite Northwestern baseball memory?
It would have to be our come-from-behind win over Iowa last season. We were down by 10 runs in the seventh inning and we came back and Zach Jones hit a walk-off single. It was a great team victory.
What's your pregame routine and are you superstitious?
I am not superstitious. I refuse to believe that any pair of socks or underwear will change the way we play, but when things are not going well I like to switch things up a little bit and be a little goofy in the locker room. I'll wear a fedora or a goofy hat just to try and change up the mood a little bit.
What's the hardest class you have taken at Northwestern?
It's probably a tie between chemistry my freshman year and intermediate microeconomics. We really had to grind through that intermediate microeconomics, but we made it out okay in the end.
What's your favorite spot on campus and in Chicago?
On campus, I would say down by the rocks on the lakefront. Whenever I have family or friends come to visit I make sure to show them that because it's such an impressive part of our campus.
In Chicago, I love going down to Wrigley Field to catch a game.
How difficult is it to come in to pitch mid-game from your right field position?
It's not necessarily easy. It's hard to find time to get your warm-up pitches in between hitting and fielding during the game. I definitely do enjoy pitching because whenever I can get the ball in my hands, on the mound, it's a good thing. I like to feel in control of the game, so as much pitching as I can get in makes me happy.
Who is your favorite player of all-time?
Probably Derek Jeter. I am not a big Yankees fan, but I really respect Jeter and how he played the game. He was so clutch and made such an impact during games, he set the tone for the next generation of ball players.
What are your thoughts on the new Rocky and Berenice Miller Park?
Honestly, I can't wait to play in it. With recruiting, it is going to make such a huge impact. I don't know how you could pick a different school. With the completion of this stadium, there is no better all-around, student-athlete experience in college baseball. I am really excited to get it going in the new park and get some wins.
If you are not in class or playing baseball, where can we find Matt Hopfner?
I spend a lot of time in class and baseball, but if I weren't doing either one of those things…you could probably find my roommates and I going to the movies or grilling out on our front patio and watching sports.
What sport would you play if you didn't play baseball?
Hockey. I am from the 'State of Hockey' and it's a huge part of the culture up there. Hockey is another game I love. Whenever I go home I always play at the outdoor rinks with my friends.
What is your dream job?
My dream job is to be a Major League Baseball player. It's always been my dream since I was a little kid. I am going to work towards that dream for as long as I can.
What is your walk-up song going to be this year?
That's a great question. I am tempted to go with T.I.'s 'What You Know' because that's been Joe Mauer's for as long as I can remember. Unless something dramatically changes, I'll go with that.
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