David Alexander Hodge, “Alex”, 43, passed away on October 20, 2023, in Chandler, AZ, after battling cancer since May, with his parents and beloved friends by his side. He was born on December 7, 1979, in Danville, IL to David and Diane Hodge and grew up in Hoopeston, IL as a die-hard Cornjerker. It was here he began his love for sports video production, under long time media instructor, Dan Reed.
Immensely respected by his colleagues and admired by many who he taught his craft to over the years, in 2019 Hodge was named the 2018-19 Pac 12 Video Coordinator of the Year by the Collegiate Sports Video Association. Hodge was selected to receive the honor by his Pac 12 peers and would go on to be a finalist for the prestigious Bob Marley National Video Coordinator of the Year Award, presented annually to the vice coordinator who displays innovation, determination, perseverance, and technical skill as portrayed by the late Bob Marley, video coordinator from Texas A & M.
Hodge’s remarkable career spanned 25 years, with more than 11 of those years coming from Arizona State University after being appointed to his position in 2012 by former head football coach Todd Graham. In his time with the Sun Devils, Hodge was responsible for managing the football video department, which consisted of providing daily video and technical support to the football coaches and staff, overseeing the acquisition of practice and game video for player evaluation and various other projects that would evolve over the years.
Hodge was reunited with longtime colleague and current ASU football video coordinator Dan Wayne. Together they established ASU’s football video department into one of the most well-respected units in the country. The two were responsible for the design of the state-of-the-art video lab, which includes a 60-station XOS digital network.
Hodge began his video career at Hoopeston Area High School and then moved up to Illinois State University, where he graduated with a BS in Communications in 2003. He moved to Wisconsin and worked as Assistant Video Coordinator for Barry Alvarez, a role he would hold for 3 years before being named video coordinator at Rice University in 2006. It was at Rice University where Hodge encountered Todd Graham, who was head coach of the Rice Owls. Hodge went on to join Graham at the University of Tulsa in 2007 where he helped the sports departments transition into the era of digital video exchange. Hodge would continue to follow Graham to Pittsburg and ASU, where he would serve the remainder of his career.
Alex is survived by his parents, David and Diane Hodge of Hoopeston, IL; two brothers, Andrew Hodge (Melissa) of Jonesboro, AR and Adam Hodge (Shea Britton) of Fort Collins, CO; nephew, Jacob Hodge; niece, Amelia Hodge; and grandparents, Dwight and Jane Hoffman of Hoopeston, IL.
He was preceded in death by grandparents, Ted and Louise Hodge.
A visitation will be held 3:00 – 6:00 P.M. Sunday November 5, 2023, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday November 6, 2023, at Second Church of Christ, 3350 E. Voorhees St., Danville, IL with Pastor Greg Taylor officiating. A private burial will be held.
The family requests memorial donations in place of flowers and donations may be made to a memorial fund established in Alex’s name. Checks may be made payable to the Alex Hodge Memorial Fund C/O First Farmers Bank, 905 S. Dixie Highway, Hoopeston, IL 60942. The money will be split among various causes that meant a lot to him including, Cornjerker Sports Boosters, Arizona State video department and his brother’s program, Colorado State video department.
The family also requests that guests wear their favorite sports attire to the visitation and funeral.
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Alex’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.
Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.
