The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Sign Cooper During Early Period
11/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 12, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The UAB volleyball team is having one of its best years since joining Conference USA. Currently ranked seventh in the conference standings with a 6-5 record, UAB head coach Melinda Claiborne has not wasted any time in looking out for the future of the program.
Claiborne announced today the signing of a top prospect on the first day of the NCAA early signing period. Shaniquwa Cooper, a 5'10 outside hitter who hails from Westerville, Ohio, has signed to play for the Blazers, beginning in 2004. Cooper has earned six varsity letters at Westerville North High School, competing in both volleyball and basketball, where she was most recently coached by Alisa Burdette and Jim Kloepfer.
Cooper has earned many accolades, some of which include, scholar athlete (two years/ 3.6 grade point average), Ohio Capital Conference Honorable Mention and second team all-district. This past season, Cooper helped her team to its best finish in school history as district champions and regional runner-up.
"After this season we lose two key players for our program," said Claiborne. "Karen Boyd and Martina Shields have helped to lay the foundation for building UAB volleyball back to a perennial power. We have a great group of young athletes remaining that are anxious to take the next step toward the NCAA Tournament. Shaniquwa is definitely someone who will help us move in that direction. She is a very gifted athlete with incredible work ethic and personal motivation. I am very excited to get her in the gym. With her drive and talent we can expect great things out of her in the future."
Cooper comes from an athletically gifted family and hails from Buckeye country for those not familiar with volleyball geography. She has grown up in Ohio State's backyard as her father, George, was a running back for the Buckeye's football team (1984-87) before being drafted by the Miami Dolphins and ultimately playing for the Green Bay Packers in 1989. Her brother, George Cooper, Jr., is a red-shirt freshman tight end for the Georgia Tech football team. She also has a younger brother, Benjamin (age 6).
Cooper intends to major in a science-based field and continue in a physical therapy career. She was born in West Islip, N.Y. and has family on her mother's (Michelle) side in Birmingham.
