Joy Cooper graduated from Berlin High in 1992. She was a 3-sport athlete participating in volleyball, basketball, and softball where she was also a multiple All-Academic Northwest Conference selection in all three sports. She went on to study Social Studies and Education at Central Connecticut State University, graduating in May 1996, and returning for her Masters degree in Reading and Language Arts in 2002. Joy’s professional and personal values were largely shaped from her high school experience as a scholar athlete.

Joy was a dedicated athlete, who recognized and honored the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. She understood how her role on the team contributed to the team’s success, serving as captain her senior year for all three of her teams. Additionally, she was also recognized for her academics by receiving All-Academic Awards her senior year in each sport. During her volleyball career she won the Coaches Award in 1991, the Serving Award (92% accuracy with her serves) in 1991, and the same year was an All-Northwest Conference selection. Joy’s determination to excel in sports was demonstrated by the fact that she was a three-year starter in each sport.

For Joy, the school year was divided by seasons not semesters. And, as the fall season came to a close, she traded in a volleyball for a basketball. As a four-year letter winner in basketball, Joy recognized the importance of foundational skills and perseverance. She won the Free Throw Award twice, in 1991 and 1992. She was also an All-Northwest Conference selection in 1991/1992 along with being on Southington’s All-Tournament Team during the Xmas tournament in 1991/1992. During that season, Joy motivated her team as the captain and participated in the Senior All-Star game.

As spring rolled around, Joy could be found behind the plate at Sage Park where she handled catching duties and was a was a 3-time Northwest Conference All-League selection. As a member of the 1990 Class M State Championship team and the 1991 State runner up team, Berlin Hall of Fame Coach Ken Parciak referred to her as a clutch hitter, who was a natural athlete and a force behind the plate. During her senior she was a team captain, CHSCA senior All-Star selection and a CHSCA/Hartford Courant Class M All-State selection.

Joy has been a social studies teacher since 1997 and has been at McGee Middle school from 2002 to the present. Joy has an extensive coaching resume including JV softball coach at BHS 1997-1999, JV softball coach Avon HS 2000, JV softball coach Lewis Mills HS 2001, assistant varsity softball coach at BHS 2002-2003, 2005-2015, and will resume her position at BHS again this season, head softball coach Morgan HS 2004, head girls basketball coach McGee Middle School 2004-present, and head girls soccer coach at McGee 2016-present. Joy is an active participant for Berlin Public Schools as well. She serves on many committees, she is a building representative for the BEA, which is all in addition to her duties as a Team Leader and Department Head at McGee Middle School.

Joy is grateful for the positive impact her coaches had on her. Her coaches helped instill the values of teamwork, honesty, and hard work. She recognizes the role that sports has on the development of students, which is why she has dedicated so much time and effort to serving as a coach. She hopes that she can carry forward the values and lessons that her coaches have given her onto her current and future players.