05/18/07

Former Local Roundball Standout Jason Cooper Named
LMC Women's Basketball Head Coach

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI - Lake Michigan College Athletic Director Doug Schaffer recently announced that Jason Cooper has been named the College's women's basketball head coach. Currently working as the College's Math Center coordinator, Cooper served as an assistant coach for the Indians last season.

"We are fortunate to have someone like Jason Cooper to lead the rebuilding of our women's basketball program," Schaffer said. "Jason relates very well with our student-athletes and has an outstanding basketball background."

A 1995 Lake Michigan Catholic high school graduate, Cooper went on to play for two seasons at Indiana State University in the Missouri Valley Conference before transferring to Hillsdale College. A two-year starter at Hillsdale during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, he averaged 17.7 career points per game and was named the team's Most Valuable Player following both campaigns. As a senior, he was a First Team Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NCAA Division II All-America selection. He graduated from Hillsdale with bachelor's degrees in Mathematics and Physical Education.

Cooper intends to encourage an environment of athletic and academic success with his players. "I believe in winning both on the court and in the classroom," he said. "The benefits gained through athletic participation, such as teamwork, mental toughness and overcoming adversity, can also be applied to life off the court. I want to help our players achieve success in all areas of their lives."

After graduating from Hillsdale, Cooper worked for Muhammad Ali as a liaison to the family. He also served as the director of Winning, Inc. in Benton Harbor before joining the LMC mathematics department in 2005.

Cooper's previous coaching experience includes stints as a middle school assistant coach and the head of an AAU team in Niles.

In 2006-07, the LMC women's basketball team finished with a 4-21 record. Cooper's 2007-08 roster will feature returning Honorable Mention All-Conference selections Morgan Bennett of Eau Claire and Trinka Boatright of Benton Harbor, along with Ericka Scheffler and Ellen Scheffler of Stevensville; Meri Napier of Benton Harbor and Jordan Wright from Eau Claire.