Sara Gould '09 and Brett “Coop” Cooper '05, both members of Elon's Washington, D.C., chapter, were recognized by the Capital Alumni Network (CAN) for their volunteer contributions to the organization during the 2014-15 academic year.
Two members of Elon’s Washington, D.C., chapter were recognized on June 4 at the Third Annual Capital Alumni Network (CAN) Awards for their volunteer contributions to the organization during the 2014-15 academic year.
Sara Gould ’09 was recognized as Coach of the Year, for leading the Elon in DC Soccer team to a 9-2-1 record and its second championship in three years in the 7-on-7 CAN soccer league. Brett “Coop” Cooper ’05 was recognized as the Capital Alumni Network Member of the Year.
In 2012, Gould resurrected a struggling chapter soccer team and has since guided it to a 32-9-1 record. This season, she led the squad to a 9-2-1 record and its second championship in three years in the 7-on-7 CAN soccer league. When not representing Elon on a playing field, Sara is a teacher at KIPP DC WILL Academy.
“I’m flattered to be recognized by CAN,” Gould said. “Participating in and organizing alumni athletics keeps me connected to my fellow alumni. Plus, winning championships and seeing the Elon name on a trophy is pretty great, too.”
“I don’t volunteer and give back to receive awards,” Cooper said. “When they began describing the recipient, I assumed it was one of the other more than worthy candidates who have given countless hours to the organization. That said, it’s always nice to be appreciated, and I just hope I can remain worthy of this honor as I continue to serve the Capital Alumni Network and the Elon in D.C. Alumni Chapter.”
Cooper is a member of all four of the chapter’s sports teams, sports chair of the chapter board, and on the CAN board. When not volunteering his time, he is a senior campaigns and elections specialist at the National Education Association. Both Gould and Cooper are past Elon Top 10 Under 10 award winners.
The Coach of the Year award recognizes an individual who consistently goes beyond what is required of a coach to ensure the success and development of their alumni team and chapter. The Member of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has consistently demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to CAN, providing vital support of the organization’s scholarship, service, social and sports programming.
The D.C. chapter is the third largest and most active of Elon’s 13 alumni chapters. The chapter has twice been recognized by CAN for outstanding social and networking programs and was recipients of CAN’s Mark R. Tallarico Scholarship Award for outstanding scholastics, service and sports programs in 2013.
CAN is an all-volunteer organization composed of more than 250 Washington, D.C.-based college and university alumni clubs. Through a variety of scholarship, service, social and sporting events, CAN creates an environment in which alumni clubs and their members can grow, network and thrive.