Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame
From 2000 to 2002, Aric Lopez of Gillete, Wyoming, stalked the interior of the Chadron State defense at inside linebacker, starting for two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship teams as a junior and senior. As a senior, he earned All-America honorable mention from Don Hansen’s Football Gazette, leading the Eagles with 90 tackles. He also earned All-West Region honors from three different organizations and was an All-RMAC First Team selection. Lopez started six games, playing in all 11, as CSC became one of only three undefeated teams in the 2001 NCAA Division II regular season. That fall he earned All-RMAC honorable mention and tied for second on the team with 70 tackles. His three interceptions that year were second only to RMAC Hall of Famer Marvin Jackson.
Former teammates of Lopez remember him as a committed, blue-collar worker, who earned his way into the lineup despite being undersized. The current football staff still uses him as an example of effort and perseverance to today’s Eagles.
Lopez is currently a Managing Partner and Loan Officer with The Campbell Lending Group at CMG Financial in Rapid City, South Dakota.
He and his wife, Terri, have two sons, Arell and Treyson, and a daughter Amiah.
