“I came from every (housing) project in Springfield, but I kept trying. Even when I was in college,” said Cooper. “If I can do it, you can do it.”
Cooper’s environment was stacked against him. Not only was he from the streets, but was the oldest of seven kids and had an absentee dad, things that could’ve led him into trouble.
The playgrounds and basketball courts were an escape. Cooper went on to star at South High School in the early 2000s, earning a scholarship to the College of Wooster, where he became one of the school’s all-time leading scorers and hall of fame inductee.
Cooper uses basketball now to stay in shape and as a way to connect to the kids, leading to “Brake the Cycle” in the summer of 2020, spending time on the new outdoor courts on Linden Avenue, meeting kids who lacked positive role models.
Another was playing on a faith-based team called Athletes in Action that played an exhibition game at London Correctional Facility. That experience was the clincher.
“Leaving that prison, my head was spinning. That was life-changing. I saw so many young men with talent and potential wasted there,” he said.
The original motivator stemmed from Cooper’s own family tragedy. He’d always tried to make sure his younger brother, George Walker Jr., had a better life than he did. Unfortunately, Walker died from a gunshot wound in 2014, sending Cooper into a deep depression, but also awakening him to a purpose.
“Losing my brother pushed me to get involved,” he said
Cooper’s therapy included writing book about his life, “Still Standing,” released in 2018. He works as a case manager for The Caring Kitchen, a shelter in Urbana. He has coached at Springfield High and Catholic Central and worked with area youth programs for several years.
“Brake the Cycle” secured nonprofit status on Nov. 3, 2020 and gained the support of local leaders including judges, the juvenile center, fire department, pastors and faculty at Cedarville University.
The group meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Families of Addicts building at 50 W. High St. Cooper was surprised the kids were willing to share and set goals so soon. About 10 are involved currently.
While he was gifted athletically, Cooper acknowledges all kids may not be or have an interest in sports. While “Brake the Cycle” includes basketball as a way of interesting kids, it’s ultimately about helping achieve all types of goals.
“We ask where kids are on their short- and long-term goals and say if a kid wants to be an engineer we help in that way,” he said.
Meetings include guest speakers and role models sharing positive messages, and topics include peer pressure, violence, social media, teen pregnancy and other issues.
Cooper’s work as a coach and teacher inspired participants like Jeremiah Underwood, a sixth-grader at Springfield Christian, to join the group.
Underwood said Cooper can teach him a lot and his goal is to learn to be more friendly and work in the community to help people.
Trey Montgomery played basketball for Cooper at Hayward Middle School and later graduated from Springfield High. Cooper’s influence guided Montgomery beyond the basketball court, inspiring him to volunteer with the program.
“He can relate to what youths go through and was more than just a coach to me. I’ve always been inspired to help youths,” Montgomery said. “There have been things in my life where I had to choose something different and made the right decisions.”
Parents and adults are welcome to meetings. Terence Pettiford was encouraged to bring his two nephews.
“I’ve known of James and his name in the community. We’re here because I want my nephews to become better men on and off the court,” he said.
While the pandemic may slow initial membership, Cooper would like to eventually have up to 25 participants and plans banquets and other community activities to help Springfield youths for years to come. A big goal is to have a facility for meetings, a cafeteria and gym.
“I just want to promote positivity and growth,” said Cooper.
For more information about “Brake the Cycle,” contact Cooper at followjamescooper@gmail.com.
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