Professor Chris Hopper’s passion for physical education has created a legacy of improving the health and fitness of children. Hopper has used his prolific writing and research skills to expand many areas of wellness, but he especially focuses on Adapted Physical Education. Through a recent grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Hopper’s work will help place credentialed teachers in lower income and rural areas so students with disabilities can receive valuable physical education that addresses physical and motor skills in sports, aquatics and more. Through such work, Hopper has found an academic niche that synthesizes service and scholarship, an approach that’s recognized through the Scholar of the Year Award.