McClancy Mourns Loss of Former MLB Player, Coach

Don Cooper, a former Major League Baseball player, coach, and World Series champion, died September 22 in Brentwood, Tennessee, at age 70.

A 1974 graduate of Msgr. McClancy H.S. in East Elmhurst, Cooper played baseball and basketball for the Catholic Youth Organization at St. Mary’s of Winfield before attending McClancy. As a pitcher and infielder, he helped the school reach three consecutive CHSAA city championship appearances and was inducted into the McClancy Hall of Fame in 1997.

After playing college sports at the New York Institute of Technology, Cooper was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1978. His family stated on Facebook that he lived a life blessed by God and was thankful for his blessings and success both in and out of baseball.