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Published on: 12/31/2008
Last Visited: 12/31/2008
Cooper brings drive, determination to job
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Carlton Cooper brings to his position as athletic director at Texas A&M University-Commerce a drive and determination learned from play at the high school, college, international and professional levels.
Now in his second year serving as athletic director, Cooper draws on his experience not only as an athlete, a teacher and administrator, but also as someone who understands the ins and outs of a small community.
"I love what I do," said Cooper.
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Cooper was born and reared in Paris.
He grew up watching local high school basketball teams and the Paris Junior College Dragons play basketball.
After playing basketball and running track for Paris High School, Cooper received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin.
He was intent on playing basketball, and his effort was rewarded.
"When I think back, at age 17, that was what I wanted to do, sports wise," Cooper said.
His dreams didn't end at the college level, either.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree and a teaching certificate from UT-Austin, Cooper was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, where he played for a time before being scouted to play overseas.
For about ten years, he played basketball in Holland, Belgium, Germany, the Philippines and New Zealand.
"Probably more important than anything was the cultural experience," said Cooper.
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Cooper said his goal was to play in the NBA, and he does not equate playing internationally to the NBA, but said playing overseas was a rewarding experience nonetheless.
"It was something I always wanted to do, for it was one of those high school dreams," Cooper said.
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Instead of returning to the states after playing internationally, Cooper lived in New Zealand for a time, working in business.
"It was a good experience; it was another thing that prepared me for where I am today," Cooper said.
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From there, Cooper served as head coach for a semi-pro basketball team in Arlington, but said his goal was always to get back to the college level.
After moving to Dallas, Cooper said he kept himself visible around local coaches in the area until an administrative opportunity opened at Southern Methodist University.
He served as Community Relations Director for two years at SMU before being appointed Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations from 2000 to 2007.
While at SMU, he earned a graduate certificate in mediation/arbitration from SMU in 2000 and a Master's of Liberal Arts in 2001.
"I owe a lot to Jim Copeland, my boss [at SMU], who believed in me and trusted me," Cooper said.
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Now living in Commerce with two of his four children and his wife, Niesje, Cooper said he is where he wants to be in his career, and that he is enjoying the challenge set before him.
"It's easy to say you are going to do something, but the only way to do that was to be here, in the town, and let people know that I am committed, committed to making our program a nationally-recognized program, and the only way to do that is to be here," said Cooper.
"I'm from this area," Cooper said.
"I've had a lot of experience, but I think people need to have a good university team they can get behind.
I know a lot of people went to different universities, but when you have a university like ours in your backyard, you need to get behind it and support that team, support this university, even though your affinity might lie somewhere else."
Cooper sites generating more revenue, increasing attendance, educating and graduating student athletes and facility enhancements as goals, and says that keeping standards high in the athletic department is key to reaching those goals.
"It's important to me that our student athletes and our student body have a good college experience, and I think athletics is a big part of that, and also quality faculty and staff," Cooper said.
"So I want to make sure that I do the things I know I am supposed to, that I know to do.
"People are off and running; students going to classes, students in and out of this building; I don't know if anyone else enjoys that, but I do, just sitting and listening to them, and hearing what they have to say," Cooper said.
The athletic director says he doesn't have much free time, and the job is always on his mind.
"I sleep when there's down time and, when I'm sleeping, I'm thinking," he said.
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