San José State head women's swimming coach Sage Hopkins will receive the Ben Franklin Award from the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) at the 61st annual CSCAA College Swimming & Diving Award on May 2, in Rosemont, Ill.
The award recognizes individuals or organizations whose efforts and innovations best promote the integrity and enhancement of the student-athlete ideal.
Below is the release from the CSCAA about Hopkins' selection for the prestigious award.
Colorado Springs, CO -- Sage Hopkins, who reported the sexual harassment of more than a dozen female swimmers against a San Jose State University athletic trainer and then spent twelve years fending off the school's retaliatory efforts, has been named the CSCAA's Ben Franklin Award Winner. This award recognizes individuals or organizations whose efforts and innovations best promote the integrity and enhancement of the student-athlete ideal. Hopkins was selected by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association's (CSCAA) Board of Directors and will be recognized at the 61st Annual CSCAA College Swimming & Diving Awards on May 2nd, in Rosemont, Illinois.
Sage Hopkins has led San Jose State since the 2005-06 season. In that time he has led the Spartans to two conference titles and a 111-49-2 dual meet record. More importantly, Hopkins was a singular voice in reporting a series of sexual abuse and harassment claims against an athletic trainer within the San Jose State athletics department. After an internal investigation cleared the trainer of any wrongdoing, Hopkins spent the next decade documenting and re-reporting the allegations until the Department of Justice and FBI took notice. Hopkins also exposed athletic department officials' destruction or concealing documentation and, as a result, was retaliated against by the university for reporting the allegations.
As a result of his efforts, the FBI has opened an inquiry into the athletic trainer's misconduct. The university has also formally apologized to Hopkins, recognizing him for "the courage he demonstrated advocating for the SJSU student-athletes" and commitment to doing the right thing despite "great personal sacrifice."
Previous Selections
2020 - Tim Welsh, Head Coach & Educator
2019 - John Benedick, Head Coach & Administrator
2018 - Kevin Polansky, Announcer & Supporter
2017 - Michael Sutton, Head Coach & Administrator
2016 - Brad Erickson, Head Coach & Administrator
2015 - Robert Clauson, Innovator
2014 - Bill Boomer, Coach
2013 - Whit Babcock, Athletic Director
2012 - Brent Rutemiller, Publisher
2011 - David Roach, Athletic Director
2010 - Ernie Maglischo, Retired
2009 - Susan Petersen Lubow, Athletic Director
2008 - Dr. Myles Brand, NCAA President
