Duquesne President Ken Gormley was honored during the 11th annual Chuck Cooper Foundation Awards Luncheon on Nov. 4 at the University’s Fieldhouse, which bears the alum’s name.
Gormley was presented with the Chuck Cooper Foundation Leadership Award, which recognizes an individual or organization’s outstanding leadership, commitment to diversity and contributions to the community.
“President Gormley epitomizes what the Chuck Cooper Foundation Leadership Award is all about because of his outstanding vision and ability to lead and motivate,” Chuck Cooper III, president and chief executive officer of the Foundation, said. “His commitment to diversity and inclusion and to making a positive impact in the community are also part of what made him a perfect choice for the honor.
“In addition, President Gormley’s recognition of my father’s legacy—including naming the beautiful new UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in his honor—means so much to me and the entire Cooper family,” Cooper said.
The Chuck Cooper Foundation works to uphold Cooper’s legacy by awarding graduate-level scholarships and providing comprehensive leadership development, professional skills and opportunities to underserved students. Similarly, Duquesne has been committed to supporting the health and economic well-being of individuals and communities on the margins.
“I hold the Chuck Cooper Foundation in high regard for its important work to support and prepare students for a successful journey in higher education and to meet their highest potential,” Gormley said. “I’m honored to have been selected for such an esteemed award named for our distinguished Duquesne alumnus, Chuck Cooper.
“We’re grateful to have had exceptional graduate students come to Duquesne University thanks to the Cooper Scholarships,” Gormley added. “Additional support from the Foundation’s Leadership Program and Beacons of Light Outreach Program also complements how we provide opportunities right here at home for these scholarship awardees.”
A 1950 graduate of the School of Education, Chuck Cooper was a Duquesne All-American and National Basketball Association trailblazer who played for the Dukes from 1947-50, leading them to a 78-19 record and two appearances in the National Invitational Tournament. He made history as the first Black player drafted by an NBA team, the Boston Celtics, and he would later play for the Milwaukee Hawks before splitting his last season between the St. Louis Hawks and Fort Wayne Pistons. Cooper was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, Duquesne’s All-Century Team in 2016 and the 2019 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class.
Cooper passed in 1984, and his uniform number 15 was retired by Duquesne in 2001. The new UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse opened its doors on Feb. 2, 2021.