Darrell Cooper is entering his third season as assistant athletic trainer at Park University, coming to the Pirates after a one-year stint at Henderson State University in Hot Springs, Ark.

Cooper holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Akron, and he began his career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, working with the Zips’ football and track programs from 1998 to 2000.

He has also worked for the Adirondack Icehawks of the United Hockey league, Iowa Central Community College and the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri S&T), prior to coming to Park University.

Cooper is also an instructor for the American Red Cross’s Professional Rescuer Training and he is an accredited clinical instructor.