Cooper High School-alum Phoenix Sproles made a special return to the Hawks last week, teaming up with AMB Ambition to present the Cooper football team with a $600 donation to help the team pay for new jerseys.
Sproles graduated in 2018 and went on to attend and play wide receiver for the North Dakota State University football from 2018 to 2021, before playing as a redshirt senior for James Madison University from 2022 to 2023. AMB Ambition is a Wisconsin-based athlete wear company, which Sproles is signed to as talent. AMB Ambition notably provided Sproles gear at the latest NFL Combine.
In a video of the check presentation, Cooper Activities Director and co-head coach Willie Howard told current players from the Hawks football team that the lessons provided by alum like Sproles are vital and part of their own journeys as athletes at Cooper.
“There’s purpose for why we do what we do,” Howard said. “Lead the way and pave the way for the next group. Tell them how we do just like he’s telling you. [Athletes] need people like him, he’s going to show you the way, but you’ve got to earn it. You earn it by putting in the work.”
Sproles told the Sun Post that it was important for him to connect with the current Cooper players that he shares so much with on and off the field.
“It meant a lot to me. ... I know how hard those guys work because I was in their shoes. I’m still in their shoes,” he said. “I’m training two times a day while working a job in between trying to go pro myself and I know with summer workouts for those kids, some of them are working not only for themselves, but for their families.”
Sproles also said that he has a deep appreciation for the work the Cooper football coaches and staff do for a community the Hawks alum feels needs more attention for its successes.
“To me, this was just appreciation for the Cooper football staff and the school and community as a whole. Cooper doesn’t get talked about enough and we’ve had a lot of good athletes and kids in general come out of that high school,” he said. “I want them to know people still care even being out of high school for seven years.”
With an eye to the future, Sproles added that he hopes this is just the beginning of giving back for him and many others in the community.
“Hopefully this will spark other people in giving back, not just at Cooper, but in their own communities. And the $600 was just the start. Once I get established in my pro career or whatever I choose to do, I plan to do it way bigger.”
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