Fresno State Athletics
Dogs Count on Coppin's Leadership
4/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 8, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Joining the golf team four years ago with very little practice in the sport, Hali Coppin has grown these past years into not only a WAC Championship-caliber player but also an intelligent student-athlete earning a place on the Dean's List.
When Coppin was recruited to Fresno State her freshman year she hadn't developed her skills to the fullest. Thinking softball was her calling in high school she decided to fill her off season time with golf. Not playing that much prior to high school, Coppin said the only reason she played golf was to keep busy and not be bored.
After her junior year of high school Coppin saw the improvements in her golf skills and not in her softball skills. This led her to quit the softball team and focus all her time on golf.
"Developing her skills much later than most people usually develop their skills is what I liked about Hali," said Fresno State golf coach Angie Cates-Moore.
Cates-Moore saw skills that with some work could be developed into a Division I prospect. Her dedication and willingness to improve her skills was one of the top reasons Coppin was recruited. They were looking for a spot to fill on the team and Coppin was the perfect fit.
"The past four years, Coppin's confidence in her skills and mental game have grown immensely not only as a golfer but as a strong leader to guide this team," said Cates-Moore.
One of Coppin's goals since freshman year was to become team captain and this year she was voted by her teammates as team captain.
Each year Coppin has worked to improve parts of her game, freshman year she built her skills by working with a swing coach, playing in all the tournaments and continually practicing. During her sophomore year she continued to grow by competing in every tournament and her junior year she improved her mental game. This past break Coppin and the team read the book "Putting Out of Your Mind" by Dr. Bob Rotella to improve their game and their mental game.
"I've tried many ways to improve my putting game and my mental game and nothing has ever stuck but this book has given me pointers to improve everything and it has really worked," said Coppin.
While improving on the green Coppin is working just as hard in the classroom and earning a spot on the Dean's list in 2007 and 2009 and earning her first ever 4.0, spring semester her freshman year.
"Guess those study tables are really paying off," said Coppin.
She was also named a Fresno State Scholar-Athlete and WAC scholar-athlete in 2009 and All-American Scholar in 2007.
After graduating next fall Coppin plans on studying in Australia and volunteering with a church and experiencing the life Down Under. She also wants to join the Peace Corps for two years and be stationed in Africa to help any way she can.
"Hali wants to make the world a better place," said Coach Moore.
This story was first published in Fresno State's Official Sports Report. To sign up for the Official Sports Report log onto officialsportsreport.com.
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