Joe Cooper to return one more year
Published: Wednesday, January 24, 2001
Athletics Director Andy Geiger announced yesterday that the NCAA has granted Ohio State linebacker and co-captain Joe Cooper an extra year of eligibility allowing him to play in the 2001 season. Cooper met the specific criteria of NCAA rule 14.3.3.2, which gives a student-athlete with a diagnosed learning disability an extra season to compete, if the athlete has 75 percent of his or her degree program completed by the beginning of their fifth year. Cooper is a criminology major.
?I have a chance to help the team and myself, as well as be an example for some of the younger guys on the team,? Cooper said. ?My four years here have been the best years of my life, and I am excited about the opportunity to receive my degree and play another year of football.?
Incidentally this is the same rule that allowed OSU basketball center Ken Johnson the chance to return for the current season.
For the 2000 season Cooper was named to the All-Big Ten squad and was a third team Associated Press All-American. He was second on the team in tackles with 80 and was named co-Most Inspirational Player.
After the season Cooper and junior quarterback Steve Bellisari were chosen to represent the team on a committee that assisted Geiger in the search for a new head coach, eventually naming Jim Tressel to the position.
?I think it says a lot about Joe Cooper the person that he has put himself in position to receive his degree from this great institution. I know that when he walks across the stage to receive his diploma, it will be one of the most special days of his life,? Tressel said in a released statement.
Retaining Cooper will only help a defense that is losing ends Rodney Bailey and Brent Johnson, as well as cornerback David Mitchell ? all seniors. Also gone are defensive tackle Ryan Pickett and cornerback Nate Clements, both juniors who declared for April?s National Football League Draft.
Cooper returns with five other starters and has set his goals high for next season.
?I want to win a championship and help the team reach higher heights,? he said ?I want to move forward and get better.?
Cooper enrolled at OSU in 1997 but was not eligible to play that season. Since then he has played in 36 straight games, including starting all 12 games in 2000.
?Joe?s worked extremely hard in the classroom since he?s been here,? said Academic Counselor Darin Meeker, of Student Athlete Support Services.
Cooper smiled as he talked to reporters at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
?I?m pleased to know I?ll be a Buckeye for another year,? he said.
