Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame
Louis Cooper - Football - (1981-84)
A first-team All-American selection in 1984 after setting a WCU record with 12 sacks in a season, Louis Cooper led the team with 89 tackles and registering 20 tackles for losses. Helped the Cats to an 8-3 record in 1984 and rank 14th in the final national poll. A two-time, first-team All-SoCon pick (1982 and '84) and member of the WCU 20th Century Football Team. During his four years in Cullowhee, teamed with Bernard Jones and Clyde Simmons to give Western arguably the best defensive line in the nation. Was an integral part of Western's 1983 team which posted an 11-3-1 record and advanced to NCAA I-AA Championship. In particular, Cooper, Ricky Pate, and Paul Abraham were part of a three linebacker rotation which confused and shut down the potent Furman offense, holding three-time SoCon Player of the Year Stanford Jennings to just 25 rushing yards on 13 carries in a 14-7 semifinal win over the Paladins. For his part, had six stops versus the Paladins, including two tackles for losses. In 1982, ranked second on the team in tackles with 109. Ended his career with 30 sacks, which still stands as the school record, and 48 tackles for losses, which was a WCU record until 2003.
