2008 Woodie Awards
Professor writes book in memory of Coach Hep
Jake Thompson
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
When Hoeppner passed away from brain cancer in June, it sent shockwaves throughout the Hoosier nation.
Hoeppner inspired everyone he met, including Terry Hutchens, IU beat reporter for "The Indianapolis Star" and IUPUI sports writing professor. Hutchens wrote the book "Hep Remembered" in August and September of this year.
"He was something special," Hutchens said. "I've been in this business for 30 years and have dealt with and had good relationships with many coaches, but this one was just different. He was just such a personable person who never met a stranger and was a guy that was so engaging that you liked being around him. We just kind of hit it off from the start."
Hutchens contacted Hoeppner after his second brain surgery about doing a book on his fight against cancer. They spoke a few times after that about the idea but after the new year it was not brought up again and the idea fizzled out.
After Hoeppner's passing, Hutchens contacted Heps' wife, Jane, about doing the book together, possibly from her perspective. However, it was just too soon for her. She later gave Hutchens the go ahead and in early August he sent the idea out to eight publishers.
Tom Doherty of Cardinal Publishers Group picked up the idea and most of the groundwork was laid by mid-August so work could begin.
Hutchens said he felt getting the book out this fall was imperative, but it meant the piece would be due in 27 days so it could be ready for production by mid-September.
Finding enough material and people would not be hard for Hutchens, who knows through his own experience what an amazing individual Hep was.
Hoeppner impressed Hutchens the first time they spoke just after Hep took the IU job. Apparently, Hoeppner kept up with "Ask The Experts" piece in the online sports section of "the Star" to which Hutchens posts.
"I thought, man, that's pretty cool," Hutchens said. "Here is a guy from Miami of Ohio- yeah, he has Indiana ties and I don't know who he is that much-but here is a guy who knows of my work before I even knew him. That was neat."
Be the first to comment on this story