It’s easy to assume that Hugo Lopez Jr. has a difficult time staying grounded in one place.
Indeed, even now, as he is completing his only school year at U of T, the Varsity Blues defensive back is already looking ahead to moving into a new situation. That doesn’t mean he isn’t committed — quite the contrary.
The only thing that has been consistent for him is his passion for football. And it is that desire that has led him to where he was this weekend: the CFL’s annual evaluation camp.
Born in Leon, Nicaragua, Lopez was on the move from a young age due to political instability in the country. He lived in both Costa Rica and Naples, Florida, the latter being where he discovered the game of football during his high school years.
Once in Canada, his family settled in North York, and Lopez attended the University of Waterloo because of its high academic standing among Canadian universities.
Lopez played football for the Waterloo Warriors for three years before he was forced to leave when the program was suspended (due to last summer’s steroid scandal involving several players on the team). Players not involved in the scandal were given the opportunity to finish their studies at another university, still play football, and still graduate with a degree from Waterloo.
Lopez chose U of T because it was close to his family, who had since moved to Newmarket, to help his father take care of his 10-year-old sister after his mother left.
Despite all of the obstacles thrown in his way, Lopez has never wavered in his resolve.
“I’m a person who has faced a lot of adversity, but I’m filled with determination,” said Lopez. “When I set a goal, I achieve it. Period.”
Lopez is one of 45 CIS football players invited to the evaluation camp running from March 4–6. He is the only player from U of T.
The Varsity: Football has been your life for quite a while. Has there ever been anything that got in the way of you playing football?
Hugo Lopez: I’d say an earlier obstacle was the lack of support from my parents. My parents did not want me playing the sport at all and did not support me whatsoever. I had to come up with my own funding and transportation. It was sad to see all my friends have their families in the stands. I felt alone at times, but it’s what motivated me. I did it for myself, no one else. It’s my passion, and nothing was going to get in my way.
TV: Did you ever envision yourself invited to camp?
HL: Definitely, since year one. My goal was to be starting in first or second year, and if I wasn’t starting, I was going to quit football. Football interferes a lot with school, so you’ve got to make a big commitment to it, and if I’m going to commit to something I’m going to go full out. I expected from day one that I would go to evaluation camp and to the CFL.
TV: What does the invitation tell you about yourself that you didn’t already know?
HL: I’m pretty harsh on myself, and [each] season I’m [still] not satisfied with my performance and see so many areas of improvement. But looking at my film and other player’s film I feel like I give everyone a run for their money, and I’m looking to do that at E-camp as well. I’m looking to be one of the top performers.
TV: How do you think you size up against the other DB’s at camp?
HL: Pretty good, I think. I’m the tallest one there and there’s only one guy who’s heavier than me. I’m going to be one of the bigger frames there, and that’s what they look for in the CFL, a big guy who can move. I’m hoping to catch some eyes and get drafted.
TV: Do you think you would have had this chance if the Waterloo program had not been interrupted?
HL: Yes, and no. Once I got here, the media attention from the Waterloo scandal followed me and my transition to U of T, and Toronto is known for their media, so people know what’s going on. One reporter followed me during training camp and he noticed I was a decent athlete. I was never given the chances at Waterloo that I have been given here at U of T. Coach saw I was an athlete and he put me on the field to let me do what I do best, and I played with a little more confidence.
TV: What do you owe the invitation to?
HL: Hard work. I never, ever, take a day off that I wasn’t supposed to. The mentality that was engraved into me when I was growing up in the States was “One day you take off is another day someone else gets better.” Football is my life. I’ve faced a lot of adversity, and football is my moment of peace, even as aggressive and abrupt as the sport is. I definitely owe it to hard work, as well as the coaches. The facilities at U of T and the coaching staff, along with the players, are outstanding. They made me feel at home right away and I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to be a part of their team.
TV: What has your training regimen coming into the camp involved?
HL: Waking up at 6:30 a.m. and coming to the field to work on some catching drills. Then I eat breakfast and go to the gym to do some weight lifting, eat lunch, and then do some sprinting drills. I hit the field as much as I can right after, and then I jump in the hot tub and cold tub. You know when your body is breaking down, but that’s what every day consisted of. Some days you just want to give up, but you’ve got to want it bad. You’ve got to be hungry.
TV: What are you expecting from camp, and what are you hoping for?
HL: I’m expecting good numbers. I do track and field, where you’re in a competition for numbers and you’re not competing against someone else, it’s for a time. I’m used to that pressure and I’m expecting good numbers to let my athleticism show. I’m hoping that I’ll catch a coach’s eye and drop some jaws. I want coaches to ask “Where has he been?”
