05/30/2026
Catching up with 2025 Athlete of the Year Nyxon Hopping:
I feel very privileged to be a college athlete. It’s something not everyone gets the opportunity to experience, and I don’t take it for granted. One of the biggest pros is getting to continue playing the sport I love at the next level, while also having the chance to grow—not just as a baseball player, but as a person. You learn a lot about discipline, time management, and pushing yourself.
There are definitely some cons, though. Being a college athlete comes with a lot of stress. You’re balancing school, practices, workouts, and often a job. On top of that, being away from home, friends, and family can be tough. You also have to grow up fast—living on your own, paying bills, and handling responsibilities while staying on top of everything.
High school athletics prepared me well for this by teaching me how to manage my time, work hard, and be part of a team. It gave me a solid foundation that made the transition to college sports a lot smoother.
I’m currently studying fire science and working toward becoming a firefighter. Since graduating, my life has been pretty busy. I work at McLaughlin Landscaping from 7–12 every day, then I head to school to work out. After that, I get ready for practice, and once practice is over, I go to class. That’s pretty much my daily routine
