Indiana University Athletics
No slowing down for Jean Hopewell’s Indiana Women’s Basketball passion
11/6/2017 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
Jean Hopewell is clear -- she has never seen anyone who is 100 years old.
Until she looks in the mirror.
"I'm the first one," she says with a laugh.
Jean laughs easily and often. Breaking the century barrier in early July is no excuse not to enjoy life, and you'd better believe this long-time Indiana fan does.
"I don't feel different," she says.
Longevity can come from many reasons -- diet, lifestyle, exercise, good luck and, perhaps, watching Indiana women's basketball.
"I don't know," Jean says when asked about her secret to a long life.
She is sharp and funny with short grayish hair and glasses. She's a former high school teacher and business owner (the long-time Betty Jean Shop with partner Betty Rowen) very much involved in the game of life as she once was in basketball.
In some ways, one becomes the other.
"What's not to like about basketball?" she asks.
Jean relaxes in a comfortable room in a comfortable house, shielded from a most uncomfortable late-September hot afternoon. She doesn't hear as well as she once did, but she hears all that she needs to.
"Thank you for your interest," she tells a visitor with a smile.
A phone rings out a jitterbug tune. Jean answers quickly, listens intently.
What, you were expecting rap?
Jean's friends bought her an IU women's basketball jersey for her birthday. On the back is the number 100 with her name -- Hopewell
"That's Hopewell with an E. It's not Hopwell," Jean says with a laugh and, perhaps, a warning.
There have been times when her last name was mispronounced.
This is not one of them.
As for the jersey, Jean says, "All I have to do is find the courage to wear it at a game."
Figure she will.
Jean lives as independently as possible with help from friends and family.. She reads, gardens, rides an exercise bike (more on that in a moment) and goes to as many Hoosier women games as she can, weather permitting. Last season she was a fixture during Indiana's WNIT run.
"We were winners for quite a while," she says.
And then …
"I've always liked basketball and have always been interested in women's basketball."
Jean's basketball interest was earned. She once was a starting forward -- at 5-foot tall -- and team captain for Seymour High School in the mid-1930s when girls, for reasons as obscure as the rationale for making Baywatch into a movie, were not allowed to run the court.
More on that in a moment, as well.
Jean has watched IU women's basketball for as long as there has been IU women's basketball, or at least as long as it's been recognized as a varsity sport. That started in the 1971-72 season under coach Bea Gorton and continued through good and bad seasons.
"We weren't always winners," Jean says.
Over the years there have been a number of memorable victories, coaches and players. There was a Big Ten championship, a Big Ten tourney title, several NCAA tourney appearances and runs through the WNIT, including last season's four-game thrill ride.
"That was fun," Jean says.
Jean remembers it all, the thrills and the disappointments, the daring and the conservative. One player stands out as her all-time favorite -- senior guard Tyra Buss, an All-Big Ten, all-conference academic performer who has 1,601 career points (eighth in school history), 400 assists, 390 rebounds and 128 three-pointers.
"She's fun to watch," Jean says. "She's something else."
As for her favorite coach, it's current coach Teri Moren, who has led the Hoosiers to consecutive 20-win seasons and two straight postseason appearances.
"She's from my hometown (Seymour)," Jean says. "I went to school with a Moren, so that makes her special. Besides, she's doing a very good job."
Jean hasn't made every game over the decades, but she's made a lot of them, finding an Assembly Hall seat that provides the best view and comfort. More and more, that's in the accessible section behind the north-side basket with much-appreciated help from Assembly Hall ushers.
"I'm grateful for those seats," she says.
The IU team is grateful to have Jean around, and showed it by naming a locker after her in the Cook Hall women's locker room. Sophomore guard Ali Patberg, the 2015 Indiana Miss Basketball out of Columbus, uses the locker this season.
Jean also will be the honorary captain for Monday night's exhibition game against Gannon University.
Women's basketball games are the only sporting events Jean attends. The IU grad watches everything else on TV.
Why?
"I can't afford the tickets," she says with laughing honesty.
Jean doesn't drive -- that stopped about six years ago -- so friends and family provide transportation. Much of the time, it's good friend Sharyl Welsh, who continues to be impressed by Jean.
"I'm amazed with how alert and with it she is compared to many senior citizens," Sharyl says. "She remembers things I have trouble remembering."
Jean stays active. Besides basketball games, she'll go out to the occasional dinner and a movie. That recently included a chicken dinner at Ellettsville's Village Inn ("Jean likes drumsticks," Sharyl says) and the 1996 drama, Fly Away Home.
"It was a lot of fun," Sharyl says.
When Jean played in high school, there were six girls to a team, and the court was divided into three sections. Each team had two players per section, and they couldn't leave their sections. Only those near the basket had a chance to score.
How did that work?
"Very badly," Jean says with a look normally reserves for those sipping Castor oil from a straw. "You'd stand there in your section forever waiting for the ball to come back."
She pauses for sarcasm.
"In those days, women weren't strong enough to play basketball. "
The 5-foot Jean played forward because she could shoot, and was a scoring threat. That was a girls' basketball rarity at Seymour at the time.
"Only people who could shoot would be in the frontcourt," Jean says. "Growing up we had a goal in the backyard at home. I practiced and practiced and practiced.
"I was the only girl in school who could score, so they named me captain every year.
"It wasn't very strenuous. I would have loved to have run up and down the court like they do now. At least you have a chance to get the ball."
There was little running during practice or games, and offense came in limited doses. A 20-19 score was typical of the times.
"It took a while to just get ahold of the ball," Jean says.
Modern basketball – the Indiana High School Athletic Association didn't start hosting a postseason for girls until 1976 -- is far different than the one Jean played.
"It's the size of the players," she says. "They're a lot taller, although size didn't matter as much when there were just four of you in the same section, the two on your team and the two defenders."
After high school Jean went to IU and graduated with a teaching degree. She taught English and journalism at Helmsburg, Rossville and Bloomington high schools, none of which exist anymore.
Jean got out of teaching and, with Betty Rowen, started the Betty Jean Shop in Bloomington. It was a downtown fixture from 1946-83.
"We decided that Bloomington could use a candy and greeting card store," Jean says. "We thought and thought about what Bloomington didn't have and needed. We thought about what might be successful."
For 37 years, it was.
Jean says she's not very active, then disproves her own words. She takes care of her flowers, visits friends (several of whom are younger and less healthy), reads and rides a stationary bike for 30 minutes a day.
Well, maybe not every day.
"Every other day is more honest," she says with a smile. "I might take a day off every now and then."
Jean also has one major indulgence.
"I love chocolate. That's a big one."
Jean used to have a lake cottage in Brownstown where the only thing she did more than swim and fish was eat fish.
"I'm fond of fish," she says simply.
Once a world traveler with places such as Germany, England, Switzerland and Austria on her resume, Jean now focuses on gardening.
Woe to anyone who tries to get in her way.
"I hated to give gardening up."
Or the Hoosier watching.
IU has a young team, with all the up-and-down uncertainty that can bring. Still, Hopewell has -- yes -- hope for a NCAA tourney bid and a long March Madness run.
"That would be great," she says.
And then …
"I'm quite excited when we're winning."
And loyal when the Hoosiers aren't. After 100 birthdays and nearly half a century of Cream and Crimson basketball, what more could you want.
IUHoosiers.com
Jean Hopewell is clear -- she has never seen anyone who is 100 years old.
Until she looks in the mirror.
"I'm the first one," she says with a laugh.
Jean laughs easily and often. Breaking the century barrier in early July is no excuse not to enjoy life, and you'd better believe this long-time Indiana fan does.
"I don't feel different," she says.
Longevity can come from many reasons -- diet, lifestyle, exercise, good luck and, perhaps, watching Indiana women's basketball.
"I don't know," Jean says when asked about her secret to a long life.
She is sharp and funny with short grayish hair and glasses. She's a former high school teacher and business owner (the long-time Betty Jean Shop with partner Betty Rowen) very much involved in the game of life as she once was in basketball.
In some ways, one becomes the other.
"What's not to like about basketball?" she asks.
Jean relaxes in a comfortable room in a comfortable house, shielded from a most uncomfortable late-September hot afternoon. She doesn't hear as well as she once did, but she hears all that she needs to.
"Thank you for your interest," she tells a visitor with a smile.
A phone rings out a jitterbug tune. Jean answers quickly, listens intently.
What, you were expecting rap?
Jean's friends bought her an IU women's basketball jersey for her birthday. On the back is the number 100 with her name -- Hopewell
"That's Hopewell with an E. It's not Hopwell," Jean says with a laugh and, perhaps, a warning.
There have been times when her last name was mispronounced.
This is not one of them.
As for the jersey, Jean says, "All I have to do is find the courage to wear it at a game."
Figure she will.
Jean lives as independently as possible with help from friends and family.. She reads, gardens, rides an exercise bike (more on that in a moment) and goes to as many Hoosier women games as she can, weather permitting. Last season she was a fixture during Indiana's WNIT run.
"We were winners for quite a while," she says.
And then …
"I've always liked basketball and have always been interested in women's basketball."
Jean's basketball interest was earned. She once was a starting forward -- at 5-foot tall -- and team captain for Seymour High School in the mid-1930s when girls, for reasons as obscure as the rationale for making Baywatch into a movie, were not allowed to run the court.
More on that in a moment, as well.
Jean has watched IU women's basketball for as long as there has been IU women's basketball, or at least as long as it's been recognized as a varsity sport. That started in the 1971-72 season under coach Bea Gorton and continued through good and bad seasons.
"We weren't always winners," Jean says.
Over the years there have been a number of memorable victories, coaches and players. There was a Big Ten championship, a Big Ten tourney title, several NCAA tourney appearances and runs through the WNIT, including last season's four-game thrill ride.
"That was fun," Jean says.
Jean remembers it all, the thrills and the disappointments, the daring and the conservative. One player stands out as her all-time favorite -- senior guard Tyra Buss, an All-Big Ten, all-conference academic performer who has 1,601 career points (eighth in school history), 400 assists, 390 rebounds and 128 three-pointers.
"She's fun to watch," Jean says. "She's something else."
As for her favorite coach, it's current coach Teri Moren, who has led the Hoosiers to consecutive 20-win seasons and two straight postseason appearances.
"She's from my hometown (Seymour)," Jean says. "I went to school with a Moren, so that makes her special. Besides, she's doing a very good job."
Jean hasn't made every game over the decades, but she's made a lot of them, finding an Assembly Hall seat that provides the best view and comfort. More and more, that's in the accessible section behind the north-side basket with much-appreciated help from Assembly Hall ushers.
"I'm grateful for those seats," she says.
The IU team is grateful to have Jean around, and showed it by naming a locker after her in the Cook Hall women's locker room. Sophomore guard Ali Patberg, the 2015 Indiana Miss Basketball out of Columbus, uses the locker this season.
Jean also will be the honorary captain for Monday night's exhibition game against Gannon University.
Women's basketball games are the only sporting events Jean attends. The IU grad watches everything else on TV.
Why?
"I can't afford the tickets," she says with laughing honesty.
Jean doesn't drive -- that stopped about six years ago -- so friends and family provide transportation. Much of the time, it's good friend Sharyl Welsh, who continues to be impressed by Jean.
"I'm amazed with how alert and with it she is compared to many senior citizens," Sharyl says. "She remembers things I have trouble remembering."
Jean stays active. Besides basketball games, she'll go out to the occasional dinner and a movie. That recently included a chicken dinner at Ellettsville's Village Inn ("Jean likes drumsticks," Sharyl says) and the 1996 drama, Fly Away Home.
"It was a lot of fun," Sharyl says.
When Jean played in high school, there were six girls to a team, and the court was divided into three sections. Each team had two players per section, and they couldn't leave their sections. Only those near the basket had a chance to score.
How did that work?
"Very badly," Jean says with a look normally reserves for those sipping Castor oil from a straw. "You'd stand there in your section forever waiting for the ball to come back."
She pauses for sarcasm.
"In those days, women weren't strong enough to play basketball. "
The 5-foot Jean played forward because she could shoot, and was a scoring threat. That was a girls' basketball rarity at Seymour at the time.
"Only people who could shoot would be in the frontcourt," Jean says. "Growing up we had a goal in the backyard at home. I practiced and practiced and practiced.
"I was the only girl in school who could score, so they named me captain every year.
"It wasn't very strenuous. I would have loved to have run up and down the court like they do now. At least you have a chance to get the ball."
There was little running during practice or games, and offense came in limited doses. A 20-19 score was typical of the times.
"It took a while to just get ahold of the ball," Jean says.
Modern basketball – the Indiana High School Athletic Association didn't start hosting a postseason for girls until 1976 -- is far different than the one Jean played.
"It's the size of the players," she says. "They're a lot taller, although size didn't matter as much when there were just four of you in the same section, the two on your team and the two defenders."
After high school Jean went to IU and graduated with a teaching degree. She taught English and journalism at Helmsburg, Rossville and Bloomington high schools, none of which exist anymore.
Jean got out of teaching and, with Betty Rowen, started the Betty Jean Shop in Bloomington. It was a downtown fixture from 1946-83.
"We decided that Bloomington could use a candy and greeting card store," Jean says. "We thought and thought about what Bloomington didn't have and needed. We thought about what might be successful."
For 37 years, it was.
Jean says she's not very active, then disproves her own words. She takes care of her flowers, visits friends (several of whom are younger and less healthy), reads and rides a stationary bike for 30 minutes a day.
Well, maybe not every day.
"Every other day is more honest," she says with a smile. "I might take a day off every now and then."
Jean also has one major indulgence.
"I love chocolate. That's a big one."
Jean used to have a lake cottage in Brownstown where the only thing she did more than swim and fish was eat fish.
"I'm fond of fish," she says simply.
Once a world traveler with places such as Germany, England, Switzerland and Austria on her resume, Jean now focuses on gardening.
Woe to anyone who tries to get in her way.
"I hated to give gardening up."
Or the Hoosier watching.
IU has a young team, with all the up-and-down uncertainty that can bring. Still, Hopewell has -- yes -- hope for a NCAA tourney bid and a long March Madness run.
"That would be great," she says.
And then …
"I'm quite excited when we're winning."
And loyal when the Hoosiers aren't. After 100 birthdays and nearly half a century of Cream and Crimson basketball, what more could you want.
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