Jordan Hooper is a 2010 Alliance High School graduate. Her high school basketball coaches were coach Dave Sautter and coach Nate Lanik. She helped lead Alliance to a state championship in 2007 as a freshman. Hooper was a three-time first team super-state player here at Alliance. Athletic director Mr. Wallace said, “She is a wonderful, young lady that represented us very well. Jordan is a good role model and showed people the right way to act on and off the court.” Thursday September 18 her #35 Bulldog jersey was retired. The ceremony took place at the volleyball game between JV and varsity. Coach Lanik said, “It was an honor to retire Jordan’s jersey. Jordan’s accomplishments in a Bulldog uniform, go above and beyond anything and everything anyone has ever done. Her name and number needed to be hung from the rafters. I think Nebraska will be doing the same thing in a few years. We would be lucky to see someone even come close to what Jordan was able to do on the gym floor. As a coach, your team is only as good as your best player, and when your best player is your hardest worker you are even in better shape. Jordan was this exact person and because of this we have a state championship trophy and picture, a runner-up trophy, and two third place trophies in the trophy case.” Mr. Wallace also said, “We retired her jersey this year because it was her first year she was out of college and we never had a chance to when she was in college because she was so busy.” Jordan Hooper added, “It felt humbling to be honored at AHS. It was great to be in the presence of all the people who have supported me so long.”

After Hooper graduated, she was recruited and chose to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. She was named the 2014 Big Ten Player of the year. Hooper also participated in the 2011 USA Basketball Women’s World University Games. Hooper was the first pick of the second round of the WNBA Draft by the Tulsa Shock. After completing her first year on the court with the Tulsa Shock, Hooper will also play in a professional league in Turkey during the winter. Jordan comments saying, “My first year in the league was hard. It was a lot different from college and high school. There isn’t as much “team” as in the other two levels, and it is a business. It was good, though, in that I made a lot of good friends and some fun along the way doing what I love.” She also said, “I am looking forward to experiencing a new culture in Turkey. I’m very excited to start that part of my life.” Some important lessons Hooper learned were choose your attitude, work hard when nobody is looking, follow your dreams, and don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do anything, and never give up.”

Hooper was also an outstanding volleyball player and track and field athlete here at AHS. She won the 2010 Class B state championship title in the long jump by scoring 18-8 ¼. Coach Hiemstra says, “ Jordan is an outstanding individual who has worked hard for every honor she has earned. It was a privilege to coach her in volleyball and see firsthand her competitive spirit! I am so happy for Jordan and wish her continued success in basketball and life!” Hooper is happy with all her decisions; they have helped build character and have made her who she is today.