University of Minnesota Athletics
Five Minutes with Karel Popper
5/21/2020 3:37:00 PM | Women's Hockey
Get to know the coaches and staff members who support the Gopher women's hockey program.
MINNEAPOLIS -- From the coaching staff to the support staff, the Gopher women's hockey team has a knowledgeable, passionate group of people dedicated to supporting its student-athletes both on and off the ice. Get to know the people behind the program who support the Gophers in their athletic and academic endeavors, this week featuring Goaltending Coach Karel Popper.
Gopher Sports: When did you start working at the University of Minnesota?
Karel Popper: 2018
GS: What's your alma mater and what did you study in college?
KP: Hamline University, Finance
GS: What does your job entail?
KP: Oversee the growth and development of Gopher Women's Hockey goaltenders.
GS: How did you get into your field?
KP: I played hockey and loved the idea of coaching and mentoring
GS: How did you get into your current position at the University of Minnesota?
KP: I was currently living in Detroit and Coach Frost called me to see if I was planning to return to the Twin Cities. Initially I said no but then with another job offer from MEGA goaltending, I decided to come back to Minnesota.
GS: What is your favorite part about your job?
KP: Time spent with the team.
GS: What challenges do you face in your job?
KP: Having to work a full time job and not be with the team full time.
GS: What is your proudest moment in your professional career?
KP: Haven't gotten there yet.
GS: Did you ever play hockey? What's your hockey/athletic background?
KP: Yes, I played multiple sports growing up and then played junior hockey in Michigan and Minnesota. I finished with a stint at Hamline University, and immediately after graduation, I followed a path in coaching.
GS: What is your favorite memory in your time working with Gopher women's hockey?
KP: Our trip to nationals in 2019.
GS: If you could trade jobs with anyone in Gopher Athletics for a day, who would it be and why?
KP: Mandy, clearly because she's a rockstar.
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Gopher Sports: When did you start working at the University of Minnesota?
Karel Popper: 2018
GS: What's your alma mater and what did you study in college?
KP: Hamline University, Finance
GS: What does your job entail?
KP: Oversee the growth and development of Gopher Women's Hockey goaltenders.
GS: How did you get into your field?
KP: I played hockey and loved the idea of coaching and mentoring
GS: How did you get into your current position at the University of Minnesota?
KP: I was currently living in Detroit and Coach Frost called me to see if I was planning to return to the Twin Cities. Initially I said no but then with another job offer from MEGA goaltending, I decided to come back to Minnesota.
GS: What is your favorite part about your job?
KP: Time spent with the team.
GS: What challenges do you face in your job?
KP: Having to work a full time job and not be with the team full time.
GS: What is your proudest moment in your professional career?
KP: Haven't gotten there yet.
GS: Did you ever play hockey? What's your hockey/athletic background?
KP: Yes, I played multiple sports growing up and then played junior hockey in Michigan and Minnesota. I finished with a stint at Hamline University, and immediately after graduation, I followed a path in coaching.
GS: What is your favorite memory in your time working with Gopher women's hockey?
KP: Our trip to nationals in 2019.
GS: If you could trade jobs with anyone in Gopher Athletics for a day, who would it be and why?
KP: Mandy, clearly because she's a rockstar.
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