After a nationwide search that spanned over 19 candidates and eight states, a local Texan, Carlton Cooper, has been named the new athletic director at Texas A&M University-Commerce at a press conference on June 19.
“Sometimes you just go places and get a feeling,” Cooper said. “My purpose is to come here and build a championship program.”
The Paris, Texas native came from Southern Methodist University and has been the Senior Associate Athletic Director/Internal Operations since 2000.
Cooper comes to A&M-Commerce with an extended athletic background. After playing basketball and graduating from the University of Texas, the Dallas Mavericks drafted him in 1985.
He then moved on as a graduate assistant basketball coach for the Texas Longhorns. From 1986-1994, Cooper was a professional player/coach in Europe before coming back to Texas and his hometown to become the head basketball coach, with assistant principal duties and teacher at Paris High School from 1994-1996.
Cooper coached the Arlington Texans in the Southwest Professional Basketball League for three years before moving to SMU as the community relations director.
“We really appreciated his enthusiasm and energy at SMU,” former SMU athletic director Jim Copeland said.” “He did a little bit of everything for us. I think he will suit Texas A&M-Commerce well.”
Sports at A&M-Commerce seem to be on the rise after many teams finished with a record of .500 or better. The women’s basketball team made the elite eight for the first time ever and track and field had All-American honors. Many other sports had many individual awards and honors to go along.
“My vision is for A&M-Commerce to strive and be a national leader in college athletics,” Cooper said. “We will reach out and recognize our past while we build our future.”
Cooper did not leave out the academic part of the equation saying a main goal of his is to “educate and graduate our student-athletes.”
While winning championships, increasing revenue, increasing attendance, increasing community relations were all a point of emphasis, facilities enhancement was also brought up.
“We need to enhance our facilities,” Cooper said. “Which is something that could bring more fans to the games by itself.”
With many people in the attendance for the conference, Cooper’s wife and two of his four children along with many other family members were also present for the announcement.
For the last question of the day, one of his daughters asked, “Are you determined to take this University to another level and how will you succeed?” After much laughter, Cooper answered the question saying “we will do this as a family and reaching our goals.” Followed by, “Is that good enough for you (directed towards his daughter)?”
If everything falls into place like Cooper plans, then that will be good enough for the University.