Turfcats Sign Quarterback Cooper
Posted on June 26, 2009
Austin, TX – The Austin Turfcats (6-2) announced today that they have signed quarterback Gary Cooper. Deron Ellis will start Monday against the Acadiana Mudbugs (5-3) but Cooper will see playing time. He was known as one of the best quarterbacks in the af2 and his ability to hit a target accurately at both short and long range distance will be a great asset to the Turfcats.
“Cooper will bring experience, winning attitude, and a very strong right arm to this team,” Turfcats head coach Chris Duliban said. “He is going to have to learn the differences in our games between arena and indoor football and be quick to learn our system.”
Most recently Cooper played for the Corpus Christi Sharks of the af2. During the 2007 and 2008 seasons he was with the Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings, where he threw for over 5,000 passing yards and 108 touchdowns in those two seasons. He had a winning record as the starting quarterback in 2008 where he threw for 3,500 yards and 87 touchdowns while leading the team to their first home playoff game and the division championship.
Prior to beginning his professional career, Cooper played for Grambling State University in Grambling, La where he led the team to its first playoff berth in 30 years. Before attending college, he went to high school in his hometown of Shreveport, La at Booker T. Washington High School where he played basketball and football. For his performance on the football team, he was named to all district team twice, had an all city honorable mention, and an all state honorable mention.
The Turfcats travel to Lafayette, La Monday to avenge their first loss of the season against the Acadiana Mudbugs. Kickoff is at 7:05 p.m. at Blackham Coliseum. Tickets are available at the ticket booth on game day. Live updates of the game will be available at Turfcats.com and Twitter.com/austinturfcats.
