When Rick Hopper decided to come to Georgian College in 1982, he brought with him a passion for two things he loved to do – woodworking and playing hockey. Fortunately Georgian was able to support Rick’s passion with both an Applied Arts furniture and building program, and a varsity hockey team. Both taught him practical skills along with valuable work ethic that he still uses today.
After Rick graduated as the program’s top student, he became the head coach of Georgian’s Grizzlies hockey team. From there many doors were open to Rick, and soon he was off to B.C. to become assistant coach and director of player personnel for the Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League.
But his love for woodworking was not forgotten and he decided to open up his own business, Country Woodworkers, in 1993. Although woodworking had its challenges at times, Rick took the vital knowledge that he was taught at Georgian and applied it to his business – making him and Country Woodworkers very successful to this day.
“The best thing I ever did was go to Georgian College. It was the best decision I ever made.”
