Cooper, a native of Chester, PA, was a two-time All-WSUC first team tight end in 1977 and 1979 and made All-Conference second team in 1978 when he was hampered by an injury for much of the season.  He had an amazing 20.1 yards per catch average for his career and set the school career TD reception mark of 15, getting five scores in each of three seasons. During his Blugold career, he caught 69 passes for 1,391 yards, which still ranks 15th in career totals. His career TD mark has been surpassed by six others.

Cooper was also a five-time conference place winner in hurdle events and the triple jumps as a member of Bill Meiser’s Blugold track squads.

Since leaving Eau Claire with a degree in sociology, Cooper taught in two Pennsylvania high schools for six years, then spent 26 years in the military, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major with the 533rd Engineer Detachment out of Fort Knox, Kentucky.  He had six foreign tours: Desert Storm, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia and South America.  He was awarded two bronze stars and four meritorious service medals.

Cooper achieved his master’s degree in management from Webster University and is a doctoral candidate in management at Colorado Technical University.

He is currently a TDD (Technology Development Division) Senior Analyst and Deputy Program Manager with Lanmark Technology Inc., working in Crystal City, Virginia.

Cooper and his wife Robin have three grown children: Kitty, 31; Tyrone Jr., 24; and Tyrell, 21 and three grandchildren.

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