AFLAC honors MHS's Cooper

By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
May 1, 2003
Their work behind the scenes work usually goes unnoticed but on Wednesday morning, AFLAC Insurance, honored one of the nation's best assistant coaches by presenting Meridian High assistant baseball coach Shay Cooper the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year Award.
Cooper was one of 500 out of 350,000 high school and collegiate assistant coaches across the nation picked by a panel of judges from Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director magazine.
Cooper received the award at a press conference on Wednesday at Meridian High's Hodge's Conference Center.
The nine-year coaching veteran, who has been an assistant to Meridian High head baseball coach and athletic director Vince McLemore, was stunned by the honor.
McLemore led Amory to two state titles in baseball. He was then picked to run the Meridian High program four years ago. One of the first people he hired was Cooper.
Cooper's duties as McLemore's assistant include working with the Meridian High infielders, hitting, game preparation and game transportation.
While at Smithville, Cooper led that school to Class 1A North State Championship. At Meridian, he has helped McLemore compile a 106-40 record and three straight appearances in the South State 5A Finals.
Robert Lover the regional coordinator for AFLAC Insurance made the presentation that was witnessed by Cooper's parents from Amory and his fiancee Robbie Robertson.
Cooper thanked McLemore for citing him for the award.
Cooper and the Wildcats will now turn its attention to the beginning of Thursday's Class 5A South State series with Oak Grove. Game one is slated for tonight at 7 p.m. at John Moss Field.