E J Cooper High School - Talons Yearbook (New Hope, MN)

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X-Jn fortunately, the two major team sports are a reflection of the school as a whole. A school with losing team sports is often regarded as a loser. It is a rare Cooper team sport that has excelled in state competition. The competitor’s view on sports is also changing. If given a choice between hair and team or job and team, hair and job will invariably win. The threat of suspension due to a rules violation has lost its sting. Many coaches have found enforcement futile and lapsed. With the expansion to 13 different sports from the original big three: football, basketball, baseball, teams have had trouble fielding teams, developing programs, and even more difficulty in posting winning seasons. 8

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 Sophistication. With more jobs and money and the easy access of professional sports, the Vikings, Twins, North Stars, Saints, Dance companies, the Guthrie, Dudley Riggs, the Minnesota Symphony, big name bands, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, scores of movie theaters and new exciting recreational activities, the high school scene loses some of its glamor. But at the same time high schools are Incoming more sophisticated, also. ’’George M” was the highest in our tradition of “one upping” ourselves. It was the toughest in terms of production, costuming, etc. Inviting a big name like Clark Terry to accompany a high school band is also proof of our moving up. rb

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T A his is not the case with individual sports. They hold our five state championships — two each in gymnastics and wrestling and one in tennis, and all other high plac-ings. Undaunted by lack of support from the student body, these athletes consistently turn out winning seasons and fine individual performances. A girls’ interscholastic sports program is slowly gaining acceptance among Cooper girls. GAA was the only athletic outlet until nowr. It was less competitive as it offered a broader all-around base. 9