July 2, 2010
Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -
B-CU's Coach Donald Cooper Named To South Carolina State Athletic Hall of Fame; Induction Ceremony In September
ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State will induct ten (10) new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame Friday, Sept. 10, 2010. The university will also honor the 1988-89 men's basketball championship team and the 1990-91 women's volleyball championship squad. The inductees and teams will also be presented at halftime of the Mississippi Valley State - S.C. State football game the following day, Saturday, Sept. 11.
Making up the 2010 class of inductees are Dr. Thomas Lee “Jr. Boy” Adams (football/baseball 1957-61, posthumous), Roderick “Moo Moo” Blakney (basketball 1995-98), Donald Cooper (track & field/football 1992-97), Luther Dixon ((football 1974-77), Robert Hemby, Sr. (football 1968-72), Joseph “Joe” Montford (football 1989-93), Bobby Moore (football 1975-78), David Lee Norman (football 1982-85), Arthur Prescott (football 1975-78), and Arthur Snipe (basketball 1976-80).
Donald Cooper – Track & Field (1992-96)/Football (1994-97) – Swainsboro, GA/Daytona Beach, FL (2010)
Was a two-sport standout for the Bulldogs, earning All-MEAC honors in both track and field and football during his SC State career (1992-97)...Track: SCSU Most Outstanding Freshman and an USA Jr. National Qualifier, 1993; SCSU Team MVP, MEAC Outstanding Performer (MEAC Championship), MEAC Champion in both the 110/400-meter hurdles, 19954; SCSU Co-MVP, set school record in 110 and 60-meter hurdles, 1995; school record holder in the 60-MH and 400 MH (1996-2007); Co-MVP, Jet Johnson Award, NCAA Qualifier in 110 MH, US Olympic Trials Qualifier, Track and Field News Top 50, 1996. Football: Earned three letters...was a starter at cornerback two seasons...member of 1994 MEAC Championship and Heritage Bowl Champion team...Participant in the Walter Reed All-Star Classic, SCSU Most Valuable Defensive Back...Undrafted Free Agent New Orleans Saints ('97)...SCSU Assistant Track and Field Coach 2007-09...Also served as an assistant at Savannah State and Fort Valley State...Presently Cooper is Head Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach and Cross Country at Bethune-Cookman.
Coach Cooper was thrilled with the news of his Hall of Fame induction. “It is a great honor to join the company of so many great athletes and that have represented the Bulldogs. I surely have to thank my former teammate and now wife, Linnell Cooper (1997 & 1998 MEAC Champion in both 100h and 400h). I would like to thank my family, my high school and college coaches, my teammates, professors and all others who had a part in my success. "
" I want to also thank the Hall of Fame selection committee for acknowledging my career at South Carolina State University. As a freshman I never could have imagined my career being one of such fulfillment. While at SC State I grew into a man with a fierce competitive nature with pride, integrity, commitment and loyalty. I want to thank Coach Robert “Jet” Johnson (RIP) for believing in me and granting me a scholarship to run track for SC State. "
I want to thank Coach Willie Jefferies for allowing me to walk on my junior year and play football for the Bulldogs. I want to thank SC State University for opening doors. I hope the student-athletes here at Bethune-Cookman University are inspired and take advantage of the opportunity they have to create a moment worth remembering,” Coach Cooper said.
Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Director Lynn Thompson talked about his current B-CU track coach. "Donald was a phenomenal student-athlete while at South Carolina State and he has continued to excel as a coach and we are excited to have such an accomplished man as him leading our track and field program. He is so humble that his student-athletes will be totally amazed at what he has accomplished, “Thompson said.
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