Jimmy Lopez, Hall of Fame Class of 2020
With a stoic demeanor and broad shoulders covered in ink, Jimmy Lopez portrayed a brooding landscape. It was with those same broad shoulders that he carried UMFK Men’s Basketball to much success and cemented himself as one of the all-time greats to ever grace the hardwood of the UMFK Sports Center. It was with those broad shoulders and stoic demeanor that created fear in his opponents. It was his appearance that only added to the legend of Jimmy Lopez, who, for everyone who had the misfortune of ever guarding him, knows he was a stone-cold killer on the court.
The Fitchburg, Massachusetts native racked up the accolades throughout his career and will go down as perhaps the best 3-point shooter in UMFK history. Lopez scored 1,738 points in 103 career games; 1,080 of those points coming from behind the arc. He parlayed his career 46.9% 3-point shooting percentage into being named Sunrise Conference All-Rookie team, Sunrise Conference First-Team nominee three times, and the Maine Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Second-team once. As far as team accomplishments go, Lopez was the catalyst behind much success for Coach Eric Werntgen’s basketball teams. Lopez played in the Sunrise Conference Championship game four times, winning in 2008 and 2010, and they were able to gain a birth to the NAIA National Tournament in 2010.
Those who know Jimmy Lopez call him a loyal friend with a kind and giving heart. After graduating from UMFK in 2010, Lopez served as Coach Werntgen’s assistant coach for a number of years before assuming the same role with the Fort Kent Community High School boy’s basketball teams. Lopez was an unofficial mentor, coach, and trainer to any UMFK basketball player who just so happened to be in the gym at the same time he was. Lopez would frequently be seen working out with both high school and college basketball players simply out of the kindness of his heart and because he wanted to see his beloved program continue to be successful.
Lopez currently lives in Burleson, Texas, where he enjoys hanging out with friends, soaking up warm weather, and rooting for his favorite New England professional sports teams. Jimmy Lopez continues to be a fan favorite for many Bengal Basketball supporters.