Thursday, January 5th, 2006

Former PC Head Coach Charles Cooper's Legacy To Be Honored

The legacy of the late Charles Cooper will be honored by the Piedmont College Department of Athletics on Saturday, January 14th with a ceremony between games of the school's conference basketball doubleheader with visiting Maryville College.

In addition to Coach Cooper's induction to the Piedmont College Athletics Hall of Fame, the legendary coach will have a trophy case with his coaching memorabilia displayed in the Johnny Mize Athletic Center. The women's game is scheduled to begin at 2:00 with the ceremony immediately following.

Piedmont College president Dr. Ray Cleere said that Cooper always made the game about his players, not himself.

"Charles and I have been friends since the early 1970s, and he came out of retirement to join us at Piedmont," said Cleere. "He produced an outstanding women's basketball program, and it was never about him. It was always about his players. That was the most important thing to him."

During his coaching career, Cooper became one of the biggest winners in state history. He became only the seventh coach to win more than 1,000 games on the high school and college level last winter when he picked up his 1,000th win on Jan. 30th as his Lady Lions knocked off Maryville College 79-66.

Cooper's final squad posted a 23-4 record in his final season, putting his career record at 1,009-425. Cooper trails only Ron Bradley, D.B. Carroll, Glenn Cassell, John B. Hawkins, Graham Woodall and Cliff Ranew on the state's all-time list.

Cooper By The Institution	Record	Cooper At PC	Record
Piedmont College	146-86	2004-2005	23-4
Valdosta State University	217-132	2003-2004	23-7
Lowndes County High School	646-207	2002-2003	21-8
Total Career Record	1,009-425 (.703)	2001-2002	20-7
		2000-2001	15-12
		1999-2000	19-12
		1998-1999	15-17
		1997-1998	10-19
		Total	146-86