Jennifer Goodell Cooper ’97 returned to her alma mater as an assistant basketball coach prior to the 2014-15 season. A three-time WBCA All-American for the Herons, Goodell Cooper has an exceptional list of accomplishments as an athlete and a coach.
Goodell Cooper works closely with the post players, aiding the development of D3hoops.com third team All-American and four-time All-Liberty League forward Mia Morrison '19. Goodell Cooper has helped the Herons post four straight winning seasons and four Liberty League Tournament appearances.
As a student-athlete at William Smith, Goodell Cooper dominated in the low post, breaking the school records for career points (2,042, 458 more than any other Heron), career rebounds (901), career field goals made (841), and career free throws made (359). Only her free throw mark has since been surpassed. Goodell Cooper also eclipsed the season marks for points (three times), rebounds, field goals made (twice), and free throws made. She led the Herons to a four-year record of 100-9 (.917), capturing four consecutive conference championships and four straight NCAA tournament appearances, advancing to the national quarterfinals in 1997.
Goodell Cooper’s athletic career didn’t stop with her graduation from William Smith. She played three seasons of professional football. As a fullback for the Syracuse Sting, she surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, she joined the New York Dazzles and again rushed for more than 1,000 yards, helping the team reach the WPFL Championship game.
Goodell Cooper’s coaching career began with a season on the bench for the Herons, assisting the program to a 23-3 record in 1997-98, a conference championship, and another NCAA tournament berth. She spent two seasons as the head coach of the Geneva High School girls’ varsity basketball team and five seasons as an assistant coach for the girls’ varsity basketball team at Canandaigua Academy. Additionally, she has eight seasons of coaching experience, leading a regional elite youth baseball team.
Originally from Penn Yan, Goodell Cooper was inducted into the
Heron Hall of Honor in 2003. In 2002, she was the first woman inducted into the Wendy’s College Classic Hall of Fame. In 2013, Penn Yan Academy welcomed Goodell Cooper into its Athletic Hall of Fame.
