Why ALG Hockey?

ALG Hockey works exclusively with junior hockey players to help them maximize their hockey experience while ensuring they are eligible and academically prepared for college.

Why this matters:

  • Junior hockey is as demanding mentally as it is physically. Players and families face highs and lows, constant change, and relentless pressure. That’s why building mental performance skills isn’t optional—it’s essential. Resilience, confidence, and focus are the tools that allow players not just to survive the rollercoaster of junior hockey, but to thrive in it.

  • Some should take college classes, others should not. I help families make the right decision for their player instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach.

  • Parents can focus on supporting their athlete, knowing academics are managed by someone who has worked inside higher education and understands what colleges will expect.

  • One wrong class or a missed deadline can delay a player’s ability to compete at the next level. I make sure players stay compliant and on track.

  • I understand the hockey life—long bus rides, late nights, travel, and training. My coaching builds academic success around the demands of the game, ensuring players grow as complete student-athletes.

  • When players show up academically prepared and confident, they can focus fully on performing their best on the ice. College coaches know this - and look for it.

“What a gift Jo is in helping with our son’s junior college experience and guidance on classes and enrollment. It’s a maze to figure out but with her leadership, we were confident we were doing the right thing for our son. He also had the privilege of enrolling in her leadership class and thoroughly enjoy and found the course highly applicable to everyday life. Thank you, Jo, for your wealth of knowledge. We are grateful for you!”
— Julie Sebek, Parent

Jo Hopp, PhD

Founder, Lead Coach

  • Dr. Jo Hopp has dedicated her career to helping student-athletes succeed both on and off the field. A former NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative and physics professor at the University of Wisconsin–Stout, she created academic and leadership programs that continue to shape Blue Devil Athletics today. Jo has also served nationally as President of the NCAA FAR Association and in developing NCAA leadership programs. Further trained as a Mental Performance Mastery coach and holding a Certificate in Mental Health in Elite Sport from the International Olympic Committee, she brings a unique approach that blends mental performance strategies with academic support to prepare athletes for long-term success.

    A former college gymnast at Miami University, Jo understands the student-athlete experience firsthand. Beyond higher education, she has led leadership programs for young women in STEM and worked with nonprofits to bring engaging science education to schools. Her passion remains constant: empowering athletes and students to build confidence, resilience, and leadership for their next chapter.

Our Story

College sports have always been more than just games to me—they are a window into the lives of young athletes chasing big dreams while quietly carrying heavy challenges. Throughout my career as both an NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative and a physics professor at the University of Wisconsin–Stout, I saw firsthand how student-athletes thrive when they are given the right support in both academics and athletics. At Stout, I built programs to help athletes grow in these areas. Through that process, I noticed a troubling pattern: many hockey players struggled with the transition from junior hockey back to the classroom and being full-time students. They were gifted, disciplined, and driven on the ice, but they lost some of their academic skill set to carry that same confidence into the classroom.

When my own son began his junior hockey journey, that pattern became personal. I admired his commitment to excelling on the ice, but I also knew the cost of losing touch with academics. I wanted him to stay future-ready, without sacrificing the intensity of his hockey career. That’s when ALG Hockey was born. Soon after, we expanded the academic and leadership focus of our programming to include mental performance coaching—not just as an added skill, but as the bridge between hockey and academics. I realized mental performance could help players now, in their confidence, focus, and ability to handle pressure, while also using it as a gateway to help them continue their academics and prepare for the future. Together, these tools create a foundation for lifelong success.

This philosophy is at the heart of ALG Hockey. What makes our approach unique is the way we integrate mental performance with academic engagement, developing athletes who are strong in the moment and prepared for what comes next. We give players the structure, strategies, and mindset to balance hockey’s demands while keeping their educational journey alive.

The impact is clear: ALG Hockey players arrive at college ready. They step into the classroom and onto the ice with discipline, confidence, and resilience that set them apart. For me, the greatest honor has been witnessing this transformation—watching players grow into leaders prepared for their next adventure, both in sport and in life.