hˈɑːp ɡɹˈædjuːˌeɪɾᵻd fɹʌm hˈeɪstɪŋz hˈaɪ skˈuːl, ɐtˈɛndᵻd hˈeɪstɪŋz kˈɑːlɪdʒ ænd wʌz sˈaɪnd baɪ ðə kˈɑːɹdɪnəlz ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd θˈɜːɾi sˈɪks.
Hopp graduated from Hastings High School, attended Hastings College and was signed by the Cardinals in 1936.