Continuing Coop’s Legacy at the 2nd Annual Eric Cooper Memorial Bowling Tournament Presented by the Iowa Cubs

On October 20, 2019, the Major League Baseball Umpire community lost one of its own – Eric Cooper, MLB Umpire #56.

Coop’s legacy, however, remains very much alive.

The UMPS CARE Charities 2nd Annual Eric Cooper Memorial Bowling Tournament Presented by the Iowa Cubs, held at Gameday Lanes in Des Moines, Iowa, was a huge success. The event not only brought Coop’s hometown community together for a fun-filled evening but raised funds to support the UMPS CARE Charities All-Star College Scholarship Program.

Part of the proceeds from this event will help our 2020 Eric Cooper All-Star College Scholarship recipient, Marcus Lo, achieve his dream of a college education. The All-Star College Scholarship Program provides $10,000 annually to a child who was adopted at 13 years of age or older, but more importantly, it also provides ongoing mentorship and emotional support from the MLB Umpire community.

Marcus was 4 when his mother died of cancer. At 16, he lost his father and subsequently was adopted. He is currently a junior at the University of Southern California. The Cooper family – mom, Beth, dad, Bill, stepmother, Donna, and brother Chad, have been mentors to Marcus, along with MLB Umpire Gabe Morales and his wife, Michelle. Marcus attended the bowling tournament for the second consecutive year and even stayed with the Coopers.

Even though Coop was an ardent Notre Dame fan (even his dog is named “Rudy” after the movie classic about a walkon for the Irish), we think he would be proud to support a student at rival USC!

The bowling tournament included two hours of bowling, food, auction and raffle prizes. Retired MLB Umpire Tim McClelland and his family were in attendance, as was MLB Umpire/Crew Chief Jim Reynolds and his wife, Deanna. MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg, a native Iowan, had planned on attending but had some business to attend to – he was selected to the 2022 World Series Umpire Crew!

UMPS CARE Charities took time out to honor Iowa Cubs President Sam Bernabe and longtime friend of Coop’s, Heath Banks, for their support for the charity and this event.

Special thanks to the Iowa Cubs as the presenting sponsor of the event (every bowler received a voucher for 2 tickets to a game in the Spring of 2023!)

In addition, UMPS CARE Charities would like to thank our Strike Zone Sponsors: 

Apres Bar Company

The Carpenter Family

Central Iowa Sports

Coop’s Hoover High School ’85 Crew

The Dougherty Family

J & L Custom Fence

John Parsons Project Officiating

Mentor Iowa

Special thanks also go to our Lane Sponsors: 

A+ Plus Lawn & Landscape

Carrier Access, Inc.

CDS Global – A Hearst Company

Mike & Michelle Everitt

Michael & Barbara Gartner

Gene La Suer

Iowa State Education Association

Travis Simpson

We also want to thank Hiland Bakery for donating donuts (a Coop favorite!) and cake, Joe Nelson, Nolan Neuroth of Fireside Grille, Andy Swanson of Sani Enterprises, LLC, the Iowa State Athletic Department, photographer Jim Weaver, our many volunteers and the staff at Gameday Lanes.

Top Photo – 2020 Eric Cooper All-Star College Scholarship recipient Marcus Lo (speaking) and the Cooper family. Photo by Jim Weaver.

VIDEO CLIP from WHO13 in Iowa!