ORANGEBURG, SC— After the South Carolina State track & field teams posted a strong showing at the MEAC Championships with several student-athletes setting PR (personal records) and school records, we had a chance to sit down with the leader of the Men & Women's Track & Field/Cross Country programs, head coach Donald Cooper.
 
The Bulldog Hall of Famer Donald Cooper returned to South Carolina State after spending 11 seasons as Director of Cross Country/Track & Field at Bethune-Cookman, where he consistently fielded teams that competed for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships and individuals who performed at the highest levels on the national stage. 

Initially hired as interim head coach in late September of 2009, Cooper quickly proved to be the strong leader the Wildcats needed, ascending to the full-time role the next season. He went on to guide the B-CU program through numerous milestones in each year since.
 
During his tenure at Bethune-Cookman, Cooper's teams won a combined five MEAC championships – three indoor and two indoor -- while eight individuals and two Wildcat relay teams represented the former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference member at the NCAA National Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
 
A former MEAC standout, Cooper shined in both football and track & field at South Carolina State as a student-athlete. In track, he was an All-MEAC performer and conference champion in the 400m hurdles, 110m hurdles, and 60m hurdles. He also earned All-MEAC accolades as a defensive back on the Bulldog football team.
 
To see Cooper's complete bio, visit www.scsuathletics.com.
 
Q: What made you decide to coach for South Carolina State?
A: Since my junior year as an athlete here, I had a great experience here.  My development as a person, student and athlete was incredible. I loved how SC State elevated me in all those areas.  After earning my undergraduate degree and being released by the New Orleans Saints, I was welcomed back to SC State as a graduate assistant coach and obtained my MA is Rehabilitation Counseling.  That experience as a graduate assistant coach planted the seed that sparked the coaching career I've had thus far.  Returning in 2007 as the associate head coach under Tyree Price provided an even greater experience.  The opportunity to come back as the Head Coach has always been a dream.  Now that dream is a reality.  I came back to build a championship program.
 
Q: What would you say was one of the biggest challenges transitioning from a player to a coach?
A:  Starting from the bottom.  The grind is worth it in the end but when being anxious to prove yourself and knowing it takes time.  My strong patience allowed me to endure. 
 
Q: What would you tell your younger self as a player that you would as a coach?
A: Take the weight room more seriously and follow the plan that your coach has without question.  Everything else, do it exactly the same.
 
Q. What was the best advice given to you as a coach?
A: Don't break the cardinal sins of coaching.  Which are stealing money, disrespecting your boss and being inappropriate with your athletes.
 
What is the biggest challenge you face today as a coach?
A: Putting together a complete staff.  We do a great job here but there are advantages to having more staff that can accelerate the development of our student-athletes.
 
Q: What is a misconception about coaches' society always claim?
A. That all we do is train athletes.  It is entirely way more complex than that.
 
Q: When I am not coaching, I am doing? 
A. Spending time with my family and continuing to study my craft.
 
Q: If I wasn't coaching Track & Field, I would coach what sport?  
A. FOOTBALL!!!!!!
 
Q: A hidden talent I have no one knows about is?
A: I am somehow really good in statistics.
 
Q: The person I admire the most in life?
A. My mother.  
 
Q: My favorite quote in life? 
A: "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." Benjamin Franklin
 
Q: If I can spend time with one person dead or alive if would be?
A. My Dad.
 
Hot Seat

• Favorite Food: Crab Cakes
• Favorite Cereal or Snack: Raisin Nut Brain
• Favorite Song and Artist: Thriller by Michael Jackson
• Favorite Hobby: Relaxing when I'm not grinding.
• Favorite Sport besides Track & Field: Football
• Something About Myself No One Else Knows: I used to live in Long Beach, CA when I was younger.
• One word that describes yourself: Patient. 

 
ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 14 sports: women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer and football with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer.
 
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