The purpose of the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame is to recognize individual University of the Pacific student-athletes, coaches and administrators, as well as overall teams for exceptional contributions to the prestige of the University of the Pacific. The Hall of Fame Committee actively solicits nominations of those student-athletes, teams, coaches, administrators or benefactors who have distinguished themselves through their athletic ability, leadership and/or citizenship.
List of all-time Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame inductees
PACIFIC ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME 2019-20
STOCKTON, Calif. – The University of the Pacific is proud to announce the two individuals and two teams that have been selected to be inducted into the 2020 Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame.
Established in 1982, the Hall currently recognizes the accomplishments of more than 250 individuals and 29 teams during their time at Pacific. This year, the Hall will welcome Greg Koperek, Daryl Hobbs and the 1972 and 1973 football teams into its hallowed space.
About our inductees:
Daryl Hobbs (1991)
Hobbs was a wide receiver at Pacific for two seasons, playing for the Tigers in 1990 and 1991. During his time in Stockton, the Victoria, Texas native engraved his name onto a number of single-game, single-season and career record lists. One of his biggest accomplishments includes when Hobbs combined with teammate Aaron Turner for a record 419 yards in a game against Utah State on Nov. 17, 1990. Individually, Hobbs totaled 228 yards in the contest. The following season, he and Turner teamed up yet again, setting a single-season record for total receiving yards by two players with 2,446.
Overall, Hobbs ranks in the top ten in multiple categories at Pacific, holding the single-season record for touchdowns (14), receiving touchdowns (12), receiving yards (848), receptions (62), and all-purpose yards (1,466). In the career record books, Hobbs ranks third in total receptions (124), receiving yards (1,690), touchdown receptions (26), and is ninth in scoring (158).
Following his time at UOP, Hobbs played seven seasons in the NFL, opening his career with the Los Angeles Raiders before going on to play for the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks.
Greg Koperek (1990)
Regarded as one of the most successful athletes in program history, Koperek played an integral role for the Tigers during his four years with the program. Selected as an All-American in 1988, the defensive back was named captain of the Tigers squad and the Douglass S. Vieira Most Valuable Player in 1989 despite playing a majority of the season with a broken wrist. Koperek would go on to finish his career at Pacific with 10 total interceptions. Also serving as the Tigers' punt and kick returner, Koperek returned 29 kicks and averaged 20 yards per kick return, including 10.4 yards per return in 1988.
The three-time All-Conference selection also set two single-season records during his time with the Tigers, tallying 6 interceptions in 1989 and returning 17 kick-offs for 342 total yards in 1988.
Despite injury, Koperek always proved to come back strong on the field. Ultimately, this courage was recognized when he won the Tully C. Knoles Ironman Award, which was given to a player who exemplifies the desire for perfection in all activities despite physical limitations.
1972 and 1973 Football Teams
Under the leadership of the late Chester Caddas, the 1972 and 1973 football teams combined for a .750 winning percentage after going 8-3 in 1972 and 7-2-1 in 1973.
The 1972 team finished with the most wins by any Pacific football team in the Division I-A era and the best record by a Tiger team since 1949. The squad had one of the biggest turnarounds in school history, finishing fifth nationally in rushing defense (101.1 yds/gm) and 12th nationally in rushing offense (265.2 yds/gm).
Following the 1972 season, Caddas was tabbed the Northern California Coach of the Year by the NorCal Football Writers' Association. Other accolades included 17 players being named All-Conference and three All-American selections, including two-time All-American Willie Viney.
The 1973 team, placed its name on a number of Pacific's top 10 lists, including ranking first for fewest total yards allowed (62) and second for the largest margin of victory in a Big West Game, defeating Fresno State 42-0.
