A baseball player at Western Michigan University, Joe Cooper led the Broncos to the 1948 NCAA Regional playoffs. While he was a WMU standout athlete, Cooper may be better known for his long-time commitment and devotion to Marshall Public Schools and Marshall Athletics. Joe served 35 years with Marshall Schools as a teacher, coach, principal, athletic director and assistant superintendent. Under his direction, Marshall baseball became one of the strongest programs in Michigan, leading teams to a 240-120 record with 12 conference championships.
Cooper also spent two years as manager of the Battle Creek/Muskegon Belles in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Starting as a volunteer in the American Amateur Baseball Congress, Cooper founded the Connie Mack Program. He later served as an officer in the inaugural Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association and upon his retirement from education in 1983, became president of the American Amateur Baseball Congress.
A recipient of the Dutch Fehring Award of Service, ABCA Award of Merit and the National Council of Youth Sports First Executive of the Year Award in 2004. He is a member of both the Western Michigan University and Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. Coach Cooper continues to live in Marshall and can occasionally be seen in attendance at Marshall Baseball Games on the field that bears his name.