Published: October 29, 2009 11:09 pm      

Celebrating a Champion: Hanging with Hunkie

Hernandez “Hunkie” Cooper became a legend in the Arena Football League, winning an MVP and two Iron Man awards for the Arizona Rattlers, where his number 14 was retired when he left the game after 2005. In 1989, he was a transfer quarterback who — along with Gary Clayton — helped steer Navarro’s run offense to a national championship.

Cooper went on to become an All-American punt returner at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and still lives there today. He is making the trip back in this weekend, and says he still may be the best ping pong player to ever hit campus.

The Daily Sun caught up with Hunkie this week:

CDS: For the millionth time, where did the nickname Hunkie come from?

HC: I received my nickname “Hunkie” from my older sister Marilyn. Out of the six boys in my family, I was the only one that was short and stocky, and they started calling me lil hunk and the “ie” was eventually added and that's how I became Hunkie.



CDS: As an undersized quarterback out of Palestine Westwood, what was the recruiting of Hunkie Cooper like and how did you end up at Navarro?

HC: Recruiting was really cool actually because I was an All-American basketball player. I was going to sign and play at Lon Morris College in basketball. I originally signed to play QB at Trinity Valley Community College for coach Carl Andress in Athens. I played in only a couple of games as a freshman and got frustrated about playing time and told them that in the spring that I wasn’t coming back. In the spring when I returned they had taken my scholarship. When I got home my mom made me work at a meat packing plant until I could raise enough money to walk on at Navarro.



CDS: At what point did you realize that team had a chance to be special, very special?

HC: I realized the team had an opportunity to be successful the minute that I arrived. A little guy with passion for football name Coach Mac (Bob McElroy) got a bunch of kids from different backgrounds and got us on one accord. He had a plan, and guys to execute that plan, with no one player being bigger than the team.



CDS: That defense may have been the best in history, definitely at the JUCO level. What was it like going against them every day?

HC: We as a group made each other better with the tempo and aggressive style of practices that we had. I knew for a fact that there was not going to be a defense that I would face during the season, or on the level of the guys that I went against every day. Our defense could have been in the Top 25 in the nation that year in Division I. Coach Mac wouldn’t let them hit me.



CDS: Do you have an special memories of the town of Corsicana, a favorite hangout, restaurant?

HC: Favorite memories and hangouts were just being in the girls gym for parties and the Whataburger and Braums. The (Baptist Student Union) made me feel at home as well. But, I may still be the ping pong champ in the old mail room.



CDS: During your time with the Arizona Rattlers, who was the brightest Phoenix star, Dan Majerle or Hunkie Cooper?

HC: Dan and I are really good friends and he was definitely the star, along with Charles Barkley, but I was in the Top 5 in my day. Dan even put pictures of myself and my teammates up in the bar he owned and that we frequently attended for food and good jazz.



CDS: From Corsicana you went on to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. What was that experience like?

HC: UNLV was great for me once I got over the shock of there being more hotel rooms on one corner of the strip than people in Palestine. The other thing that I had to overcome was my first loss, or playing from behind, after leaving the perfect season at Navarro. I really love Las Vegas and the people that I have become friends with.



CDS: What are you doing these days?

HC: I am currently the head football coach at Canyon Springs High School in Las Vegas. We are currently 6-2 on the season and 5-1 in league play. I took over this job about five months ago and the entire program won eight games. My freshmen are currently undefeated and my JV is 2-4. The varsity went 1-9 last season, and now we have secured a playoff spot.



CDS: You’re planning on coming in this weekend, and you’re going to see a lot of old teammates and coaches. How often does the ’89 season cross your mind?

HC: This team is my family and I am so excited about the opportunity to be able to come home and be with them. So many of us went on to be successful and are very productive citizens. I love each and every player and coach on that team and we will always be brothers and members of the perfect season. I am blessed to be a part of such a beautiful group.