Two hours away from being inducted into the Spokane Hoopfest Hall of Fame, former Vandal guard Brian Kellerman was getting ready for the ceremony when he received news that left him shocked. His former teammate and one of his best friends, Phil Hopson, had passed away.
In that moment, Kellerman’s mind raced, and what was supposed to be a day of celebration became a bittersweet reminder of how quickly everything can change.
“I heard just a few hours before the event about Phil. It was tough news,” Kellerman said. “It was a nice honor. I mean, I’m glad they were able to do it when Coach Monson is still with us. You know, we’re that team has been recognized.”
Kellerman and Hopson came to the University of Idaho as part of Don Monson’s first recruiting class, and the bond they shared on the court translated to their friendship off of it.
“You have teammates and you have friends. Phil was all that and more,” Kellerman said. “We had a pretty good bond; we played a lot of games together and he was more than just a friend.”
Hopson, a 6-6 forward from Portland, Oregon, was overlooked coming out of high school, receiving only two Division I offers. He used that doubt as fuel to become one of the most influential players in Vandal basketball history.
Hopson turned skepticism into success, finishing in the top 10 in almost every category: games 115, points 1,226, field goals 515, field-goal percentage 56.6%, rebounds 733, steals 127 and blocked shots 69.
Alongside Hopson was Kellerman and, between the two, they compiled an 89-26 record and were part of some of the greatest moments in program history. According to Idaho Athletics, in his 110-game Idaho career, Kellerman scored 1,585 points, dished out 390 assists and snatched 208 steals. His assist and steal marks sit comfortably atop the all-time lists at Idaho. Kellerman was a two-time All-Big Sky First Team honoree, three-time Big Sky All-Tournament Team selection and the 1981 Big Sky Most Valuable Player.
In 1978, the Idaho Vandals men’s basketball team was in ruins and needing a change. They brought in Don Monson and what was later called by the players the Vandal Brotherhood.
Part of that group was Al Williams, who was a couple of years older than Hopson and Kellerman, but his impact left the same mark on the turnaround. His friendship with Hopson was a special thing for Williams during his time as a Vandal.
“Phil was my roommate in college. You couldn’t ask for a better friend. He was humble, loyal, loving, caring and his teammates were his family,” Williams said.
“I was a junior when he was an incoming freshman and we were both there at the same time, because I just transferred in from North Idaho college,” Williams said. “At that point, Idaho hadn’t had a whole lot of basketball success there, so we were all coming there thinking we could help turn the program around, but really had no idea about the success we could possibly have.”
What transpired over the next five years was simply remarkable: they went from 4-22 in 1978 to having two of the best seasons in Idaho Vandal basketball history. The pieces fell into place in Williams’ senior season, the 1980-81 campaign, when the Vandals had the best season in school history up to that point. They compiled an impressive 25-4 record, notching their first Big Sky championship since 1943.
The team also reached their first-ever NCAA tournament before falling to the University of Pittsburgh in the first round in a 70-69 heartbreaker. Williams, who was a senior on that team, doesn’t want people to forget about the 1980-81 squad that was also a special team in Vandal history.
“That whole era, from ‘78 to ‘83 when Munson left, we call that the Munson era,” Williams said. “All those guys, we had a pretty close friendship and we called it the Vandal Brotherhood. That has stayed in touch over the years.”
“Even though that team got the most recognition, we still took pride in being the first NCAA tournament team,” Williams said. “We consider ourselves to be the original team. They received national recognition and reached the Sweet 16 from the Northwest and, until Gonzaga came on the scene later, we were the original Gonzaga.”
The next year, leading into the 1981-82 season, the Vandals were on a mission. Through their unwavering team chemistry and grit, they were destined for the bright lights. Kellerman, Hopson and the rest of the team were ready for their moment.
“The thing interesting about that team is nobody talked a lot we just played,” Kellerman said. “We were friends off the court. We weren’t always hanging out together. On the court was different. Once we laced them up, we could be best friends. Everyone was competitive and we were all wired the same way.”
Behind brilliant play of the team, the Vandals got out to a 12-0 start and finished the season with a 27-3 record, winning their second consecutive Big Sky championship. Their victory over Nevada punched their ticket to the big dance — this time, to make a run.
The Vandals’ Cinderella season continued as they secured the no. 3 seed in the West Region and had a date with Iowa. Behind Hopson’s 21 points, Kellerman’s 18 and a buzzer-beating jumper, the Vandals advanced to the Sweet 16, where they fell to Oregon State 60-42, ending the magical run.
Hopson loved being a Vandal. This was clear as Kellerman reflected on Hopson and their friendship that started at 18 years old and carried until his death.
“Phil was instrumental in everything that went on for the four years. He was quiet, but also competitive,” Kellerman said. “He was so proud of things when we got together and we’d get together and talk aside from personal things. Those were his days he just absolutely relished in, and for good reason. He was not just a friend — a player, a brother, everything. He was everything and he made a lot of people proud.”
In a moment of celebration, the Vandal Brotherhood decided to honor their brother Hopson. They reflected on all the things that Hopson did for the team, community and school and all he meant to them and to the Vandal community.
“We lost a good man too soon,” Williams said. “You hate to see somebody like that die so young. I look back and all I have is fond memories of what Phil did and what he represented for that university.”
“He even said it himself, that the most enjoyable period of his life was a time that he spent here at UI. And he was so proud to be an Idaho Vandal, and he carried that with him to the very end,” Williams said. “He’s loved by his teammates and we are sad to see him go, but his memories always bring joy to us. The memories that he’s left us with, we’ll cherish those forever.”
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected].
Tony Broadous
Excellent article!