Elmhurst University Athletics

Ralph Cooper, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman who lettered four years in men's baseball (43-23-1/.650), compiled a career earned run average of 2.01 that ranks second in Bluejay history.

For his career, Cooper ranks fifth in wins with an 18-10 record and in strikeouts with 187, and is tied for sixth in complete games at 17 with 1986 Hall of Fame inductee Dave Whitfield, ’75.

Cooper was named Most Valuable Player for the Bluejays (12-5) in 1962, when he compiled a 5-2 record, 2.01 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings, and posted a .312 batting average. He went 4-1 with a 1.75 ERA in 1961, 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 1963 and 4-4 with a 1.23 ERA in 1964.

A two-sport letterman, Cooper played guard in men's basketball for two years. He also served Elmhurst College as the scoreboard operator at home football games for more than 30 years.