Coaching Staff & Contact Information

Mark Czech - Head Coach 

Coach Czech taught music in the Hopkins schools for 36 years. As an educator in the Hopkins schools he oversaw the growth & development of the District Orchestra program. He started and developed the Class Guitar program and the Music Technology program. 

In 2005 he proposed starting the Clay Target Team to district administration. They accepted his proposal and the birth of  High School Clay Target shooting in Minnesota had begun, making Hopkins the first school district to officially sanction high school Trap shooting team in the state of Minnesota. 

In 2009 in conjunction with the Minneapolis Gun Club coach Czech hosted the first ever State High School Trap Shooting Tournament. In 2008 the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League was formed and the rest as they say is history. The Hopkins Clay Crushers have competed in twenty consecutive MSHSCTL State Championships as well as several appearances at the MSHSL State Trap Shooting Tournament. Highlights include a 100 straight and many athletes over the years placing in the top five overall athletes in the state. Due to these efforts along with countless volunteers , over 43,000 athletes on 1450 teams across 34 states enjoy Clay Target competition at the Home School, Middle School, Jr. High and High School level. 

Coach Czech is married, has three grown children and currently resides in New London MN.

(Contact information - czechtpt@gmail.com) #612-270-5627

Larry Compton - Assistant Coach

Coach Compton is a lifelong Minnesotan, but with less enthusiasm for winter each year. His family moved to Eden Prairie in 1963, and with the exception of 1974 &'75 He has lived here all his life.

As a high schooler, he hunted pheasants and ducks where Eden Prairie center and Lifetime are now. While in High School he played football and was on the wrestling team. His dad had a concrete and masonry company. This was his summer job and eventual career.

Coach Compton started trapshooting at Braemar (Edina) range in 1998. 

In 1990 a friend and he went to Park Sportsman's Club. They signed on to a league team that needed shooters and eventually one thing led to another. He joined the PSC Board in 1994 and has served as a Board Member, past president and vice president. He is currently the HS Coordinator and President. Coach Compton has competed in ATA trapshooting since 1991, and was a member of the Mn State Championship team in 1998.

He enjoys working with young people  and the different perspective and energy they bring. In the mornings Coach Larry  bus for EP schools. "There's nothing like a busload of elementary kids to keep you on your toes"!

Coach  is married and has two daughters (ages 48 and 44), and two High School age grandchildren.

Jared Ellerson - Hopkins Athletic & Activities Director

Ellerson is a lifelong athlete and has been involved with athletics and activities since the age of five. In high school, he was a three sport athlete who participated in football, basketball and track. He was inducted into his high school's Hall of Fame. He continued to play collegiate football at the highest level as a Division I student athlete. These experiences shaped him into the person he is today. Ellerson is known for his collaborative nature combined with strategic decision making. He spent nearly 10 years in an administrative role working as a dean for Osseo Area Schools. During these years, he found his purpose in inspiring young minds and helping them realize their full potential through sports and activities. He focuses on building a foundation of trust with students and believes once trust is built, students are best positioned to learn.

(Contact Information - Jared.Ellerson@hopkinsschools.org)