DR. MICHAEL COOPER
Blog: August 2013
“Unfinished Business”
August 2, 2013 ended my tenure with the World Golf Foundation and The First Tee. Although the date halted my lifelong career as an employee within the golf industry, I am far from finished from pursuing diversity and overall equity in the sport. On August 15, 2013 I begin a new career as Associate Dean and Campus Director for Springfield College–Tampa Bay campus.
I am an alumnus of Springfield College-Tampa, and have served as adjunct faculty and Board member for over 11 years. I am honored, humbled, and truly blessed to transition into the position, and to pursue other lifelong passions…namely leadership and formal education.
I depart the golf industry with lasting relationships and great memories. I joyously reflect on my days as a teenager growing up at Pipe O Peace golf course in Chicago, IL. Reflect on my years as a collegiate student/athlete at Arizona State and Illinois State University’s. To three fun, yet financially challenging years as a mini-tour contestant. To 10 years as a club pro with Rocky Point and Rogers Park golf courses in Tampa. To Director of Golf for the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, who introduced me to the nonprofit business of youth development through sports. From there I founded, administered and operated Urban Junior Golf, in Tampa, FL; which is probably my proudest professional achievement.
Urban Junior Golf (UJG) began in 1991. We started with $1,500 of my own money. I wrote the original application for tax-exempt status, developed partnerships, recruited and taught students, sought funding support, and wore every hat imaginable. No trophies for that, please, as there are literally hundreds of our people doing the same thing every day in local communities across these United States. Dr. Tommy Dorsey and Gladys Reed are two who immediately come to mind. UJG morphed into The First Tee of Tampa Bay in 1999, and today they serve some 1,500 youth per year through chapter programs, and introduce over 70,000 elementary school children to the game of golf and its core values through the National School Program initiative. Lasting memories, indeed, and a source of tremendous pride!
For the past 11 years I have been employed by the World Golf Foundation and The First Tee. The World Golf Foundation is a tax-exempt organization. Under its umbrella are The First Tee, the World Golf Hall of Fame, and Golf 20/20. My titles included Director of Southeast Region Affairs, Director of Diversity, and Director of Outreach. At one time I managed 54 of the 200 (approximate) chapters within The First Tee network, and over 900 elementary schools across 10 states. The relationships established along the way have been priceless, and I expect many to continue despite a change in career paths. I am proud of each and every chapter/school relationship developed along the way, as I know they are helping children, families, and communities. Yes, it’s been a meaningful journey.
There’s unfinished business, however, and I will continue to work with others to bring diversity and equity to the game of golf, and its industry. I’ve joined a committee to help bolster the University of Maryland Eastern Shores Professional Golf Management program. The PGM initiative at UMES specializes in job readiness, and has emerged as an important piece of the diversity puzzle. I’ll continue to serve and support the Advocates Golf Tour. There are many talented golfers competing in Advocate events, and we want to help a few get to the highest level of competition.
I’ll continue to serve the National Black Golf Hall of Fame, and bring honor to those individuals who have contributed to bringing golf to black communities. Our group is also committed to an initiative for a permanent story/exhibit at the World Golf Hall of Fame, in St Augustine, FL, depicting the journey of the African American golfer. The project has been talked about for three years. Time for it to finally happen, and 2014 has to be the year.
What are you doing to help bring diversity to golf? Are there things we can do together to accelerate the process? Please contact me at urbangolf@aol.com, or mcooper2@springfieldcollege.edu
Please share your thoughts and opinions with me by contacting me and stay tuned for future blogs.
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ABOUT MICHAEL COOPER, PH.D.
Dr. Michael Cooper is the Director of Southeast Region Affairs for The First Tee. He also teaches Social Change and Leadership at Springfield College – Tampa, FL campus.
