Gary Cooper (2011) - Hall of Fame - Miami University RedHawks

Gary Cooper

Induction:
2011
Class:
1973

Cooper was Miami's first baseball All-American and is one of just eight players in program history to earn the distinction. He was CoSIDA Academic All-American and Academic All-District in 1971 and 1972 as well as Academic All-MAC in 1972 and 1973. In addition, Cooper was a three-time All-MAC recipient, garnering first-team honors in 1972 as a second baseman and pitcher, and second-team recognition in both 1971 as a shortstop and 1973 as a second baseman and pitcher.

In his banner All-American and first-team All-District year of 1972, he batted .421 - which was the record for nearly two decades and currently is the third highest mark in program history - and also led the league in six offensive categories. "Coop" helped lead Miami to its first MAC title in 1973 as the Red and White compiled a 14-4 conference record and finished the season ranked #14 in the nation.

During his four years at Miami under coach Bud Middaugh, who was inducted into Miami's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981, Cooper and the Red and White amassed a 111-39 record, including a 32-10 campaign in 1971, and never placed lower than third in the MAC. This .740 winning percentage over a span of four consecutive years is the highest in Miami baseball history