Alan Hoeper, Minnewaska Area High School Class of 2001

Alan Hoeper made his mark as one of the most talented Minnewaska basketball players when he took the floor for the Lakers from 1997-2001. 

Although Alan played one sport, without a doubt, basketball was his sport. During Alan’s tenure as a starter, the Lakers won 68 games, which included three consecutive West Central Conference titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001. 

Alan began his varsity career as a freshman with then-rookie head coach Phil Johnsrud. Having recently stepped away from the head coaching duties to take on the MAHS Activities Director role, the former head coach recalls Alan’s first varsity game as he stated, “I’m positive Alan was much more at ease as a varsity starter as a freshman than I was as a head coach at that time.” Alan’s cool demeanor and focus were unlike most athletes.

During four years as a Laker starter, Alan was All-West Central Conference four times, which included being the conference MVP his junior and senior years. Alan was also recognized outside the WCC with additional honors as he was named to the Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention Team in 1999, 2000 and 2001 and the West Central Tribune All-Area 1st Team in 2000 and 2001. 

Furthermore, during Alan’s senior year, he was selected to the Minnesota All-Star Outstate Team and was a McDonald’s All-American nominee. Alan also holds numerous individual records; however, two records that are of elite status are his being Minnewaska’s all-time leading scorer with 1,609 points and the career record holder with 805 rebounds.

All statistics aside, Alan would tell you that the highlight of his basketball career was playing with many great teammates and his team’s successes. 

During his senior year, the Lakers were crowned Section 3AA champions while playing in front of a packed house at Southwest State University in Marshall vs. the Redwood Valley Cardinals. 

The 2001 Section 3AA championship earned the Lakers a trip to the Minnesota State High School Basketball Tournament where the Lakers lost their first-round game in a battle with the Kenyon-Wanamingo Knights, who went on to win the 2001 Minnesota Class AA State Championship.

Alan was Minnewaska’s version of Jimmy Chitwood in the movie Hoosiers. He was long and lean with incredible athleticism. Alan carried the versatility that very few possessed as he was a silky-smooth perimeter shooter and could also dominate in the post. Alan had many spectacular dunks. Laker fans became accustomed to anticipating a Hoeper throw-down after a perfect alley-oop pass from Robbie Hyland. 

Most importantly, Alan never took himself too seriously, but rather focused his attention on being a good teammate and being coachable. Coach Johnsrud stated, “I will never forget how Alan never took his eyes off me during every timeout and practice discussion. His focus was like no other that I coached, as he would do anything to win.”

In addition to Alan’s individual success as a basketball player, he was dedicated to his team and family. Alan grew up the youngest of ten children on a family farm in Grove Lake where he makes his home today. It’s fair to say he had his own cheering section at all Laker basketball games as this area was home to many siblings, in-laws, nephews and nieces. 

The leader of the cheering section was notably his mom, Bertie, who to this day lives on the same farm alongside Alan, his wife Jessica, and their five children, Hannah, Henry, Harris, Hayes and Hogan. Alan went on to play basketball at Minnesota State Moorhead and graduated with a degree in nursing. He is currently a nurse anesthetist at St. Cloud Hospital.

Congratulations to Alan Hoeper, 2023 Minnewaska Area Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee!