Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State Athletics Hall of Fame
Richard Cooley
- Induction:
- 2015
- Class:
- 1971
Men’s Swimming and Diving (1967 to 1971)
Men’s Water Polo (1967-1971)
Ric Cooley came to Colorado State from his native Michigan and helped lead the Rams during the golden years of men’s swimming and diving. In his freshman year he won the individual WAC championship for the 200- and 400-yard individual medley in 1968. He returned in 1969 to win the individual WAC championship in the 200 and 400 IMs, setting a WAC record. He recorded his first All-American honors in 1969 finishing 10th in the nation in the 400 IM. Cooley’s junior year ranked as his finest at the NCAA Championships when he finished 6th in the 400 IM, 9th in the 200 IM and won his third All-American Award of 1970 as a member of the 400 freestyle relay team. The Rams finished eighth in the nation as a team in 1970, the highest of any swim team in school history. Ric finished his senior season with his sixth All-American award and won the Nye Trophy, the first swimmer to ever win that award.
Ric Cooley graduated in 1971 with a degree in Management Information Systems and worked in that field for 30 years. However, he remained close to swimming and was a member of the Masters Division swimming in national championships and world competitions. In 1990, Cooley set a world record in the 100-meter IM at the Pan Pacific Games which lasted five years. He was honored with the Master All-Star award.Â
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Other Accomplishments:
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Men’s Water Polo (1967-1971)
Ric Cooley came to Colorado State from his native Michigan and helped lead the Rams during the golden years of men’s swimming and diving. In his freshman year he won the individual WAC championship for the 200- and 400-yard individual medley in 1968. He returned in 1969 to win the individual WAC championship in the 200 and 400 IMs, setting a WAC record. He recorded his first All-American honors in 1969 finishing 10th in the nation in the 400 IM. Cooley’s junior year ranked as his finest at the NCAA Championships when he finished 6th in the 400 IM, 9th in the 200 IM and won his third All-American Award of 1970 as a member of the 400 freestyle relay team. The Rams finished eighth in the nation as a team in 1970, the highest of any swim team in school history. Ric finished his senior season with his sixth All-American award and won the Nye Trophy, the first swimmer to ever win that award.
Ric Cooley graduated in 1971 with a degree in Management Information Systems and worked in that field for 30 years. However, he remained close to swimming and was a member of the Masters Division swimming in national championships and world competitions. In 1990, Cooley set a world record in the 100-meter IM at the Pan Pacific Games which lasted five years. He was honored with the Master All-Star award.Â
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Other Accomplishments:
- Nye Trophy (1971)
- CSU Outstanding Swimmer – 1971
- 1990 Pan Pacific GamesÂ
- Six-time All-American
- Five-time gold medalist in world games
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