May 30, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior Garland Cooper (Mission Viejo, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic) has been named an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America first-team selection, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced Wednesday.
Cooper, a senior communication studies major, is one of 11 student-athletes named to the University Division first team. She joins Chinazo Opia (1990) as Northwestern's lone first-team honorees. Cooper is the fourth Wildcat all-time to earn Academic All-America status.
In addition to her prowess in the classroom, Cooper has put a phenomenal capstone season on her already stellar career. In 2007, Cooper has broken the Big Ten single-season home run record with 22, and is the conference's all-time leader with 54. Her 69 RBIs also are a school record this year. She ranks among the nation's top-10 in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage this season.
One of the best players in NCAA history, Cooper will finish her career ranked among Division I's all-time best in home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage, walks and intentional walks. She also will conclude her career as Northwestern's all-time leader in nine different offensive categories.
On Tuesday night, Cooper was named a first-team All-Senior All-American by Lowe's as a part of its Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. The program honors seniors who excel not only on the field, but also in the classroom and the community.
Cooper was the only first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American to also earn first-team Lowe's All-Senior All-America accolades.