2012 West #9
Cooper Rush
Quarterback
6’3″ 225
High School Coach: Jim Ahern
High School, Class: Lansing Catholic, B
College: Central Michigan University
Cooper is the oldest of the three boys born to Matthew and Frances Rush of Charlotte, Michigan. Along with his brothers Dillon (17) and Owen (14), his large mid-Michigan family has enjoyed his success as a three sport student-athlete achieving a 3.9 GPA while attending Lansing Catholic High School.
Cooper started playing football in fifth grade and became passionate about playing quarterback from the beginning. As a three-year all conference starter, he led his high school team to an 18-0 record in the 2010 and 2011 regular seasons, culminating with a state runners-up finish in 2011. As a senior completing 242-of-362 passes (67%) for 4002 yards and 48 touchdowns, Cooper also ran for 756 yards and 16 touchdowns. His career totals of 455-of-734 (62%) for 7248 yards and 80 touchdowns set a multitude of school records as well as several state milestones, including most passes in a row (tied-20) and most touchdowns in a quarter (5), half (7), game (8), and season (48). As the captain and MVP of his team in 2011, Cooper was honored to be a member of the Detroit Fee Press All-State 1st Team, Detroit News Dream Team, Lansing State Journal Dream Team and selected as the Associated Press Division 5/6 Player of the Year and ESPN Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year.
Cooper participated in many extracurricular activities including fund-raising councils, school leadership groups, and community volunteer projects.
In reflecting on his high school career, Cooper is most grateful for his family, teammates, and coaches who encouraged him to become all that he could be as an athlete, student, and young man.
Awards
All Conference, ‘09, ‘10 & ‘11
Honorable Mention All State, 2010
1st Team All State, 2011
Dream Team, Lansing State Journal, Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, 2011
Player of the Year, AP, 2011
Player of the Year, ESPN Michigan Gatorade, 2011