Eastern Michigan Athletics
Ian Cook Receives CFP/Dr. Pepper Go Teach Award
9/14/2021 10:01:00 AM | Men's XC, Women's XC, Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
Cook earned teaching scholarship worth $12,500
PHOTO GALLERY
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - Eastern Michigan University cross country senior Ian Cook (Worthington, Ohio-Thomas Worthington) was honored by the College Football Playoff Foundation and Dr. Pepper with a $12,500 scholarship, the Mid-American Conference announced today, Sept. 14.
MAC Commissioner Dr. John Steinbrecher, along with Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee and President James M. Smith, surprised the EMU harrier with the award at Bowen Field House prior to the Eagle's season-opener, Sept. 3. Before being surprised with the award, Cook knew that he won a $2,500 check as a finalist for the Go Teach Award, but was completely astonished to learn that he won an additional $10,000 as the conference selection.
"This is a huge honor for both Ian and our program," said Director/Head Coach Sue Parks. "We're incredibly proud of his achievements as a student and an athlete. Ian is someone who works very hard and gives it all he has both in the classroom and running for the team. He is very deserving of this prestigious scholarship award."
The scholarship was granted to Cook as part of the Go Teach Project which aims to give athletic and academic departments a platform and the tools needed to assist with the recruitment of qualified student-athletes into the teaching profession.
The initiative's three main efforts include:
1) tuition support for student-athletes seeking final courses, degrees, or teacher certificate programs
2) active marketing and recruitment of great students into the teaching profession on college campuses
3) student-athlete leadership opportunities with teachers and students in K-12 classrooms.
"This is a great program that gives us a chance to assist deserving student-athletes who want to be teachers, which is the whole purpose behind the College Football Playoff Foundation," said Steinbrecher. "We're really appreciative of Dr. Pepper being a part of this and heading it up. This is going to allow him to complete his education and go on and be a great teacher, great role model, and great educator, which is exactly what we want to see occur."
"I am incredibly grateful that I no longer have to stress about paying my way through a graduate program," said Cook. "I can now fully focus on learning how to best teach English literacy to people around the world while still having some time and energy leftover to dedicate towards training and becoming the best athlete I can be. This scholarship grants me the unique opportunity to be able to chase both my dreams all at once."
Cook earned his undergraduate degree in English and Spanish education and a graduate degree in TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of other languages). Once he wraps up his time at EMU, the Ohio native hopes to travel around the world, learning different cultures while teaching English before becoming a traditional teacher. Furthermore, the harrier looks to stay involved in running via competitions in the U.S. and abroad.
Last fall, Cook and football student-athlete Tariq Speights, both Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representatives, worked on a voting initiative to educate and encourage student-athletes and others at the university to participate in the 2020 federal election. Together, they motivated a large percentage of EMU student-athletes to register to vote.
"I am really excited for Ian, he has worked so hard in his time at Eastern to grow as a student-athlete," said Head Cross Country Coach Mark Rinker. "Seeing him get publicly rewarded for all the work he has done in a way that will allow him to pursue his dreams as a teacher is awesome. He embodies what Eastern Michigan cross country/track & field is all about."
The Eastern Michigan University cross country program will host the Mid-American Conference Championships Saturday, Oct. 30, at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Ypsilanti, Mich. For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF, and Facebook, @EMUXCTF.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (EMUEagles.com) - Eastern Michigan University cross country senior Ian Cook (Worthington, Ohio-Thomas Worthington) was honored by the College Football Playoff Foundation and Dr. Pepper with a $12,500 scholarship, the Mid-American Conference announced today, Sept. 14.
MAC Commissioner Dr. John Steinbrecher, along with Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee and President James M. Smith, surprised the EMU harrier with the award at Bowen Field House prior to the Eagle's season-opener, Sept. 3. Before being surprised with the award, Cook knew that he won a $2,500 check as a finalist for the Go Teach Award, but was completely astonished to learn that he won an additional $10,000 as the conference selection.
"This is a huge honor for both Ian and our program," said Director/Head Coach Sue Parks. "We're incredibly proud of his achievements as a student and an athlete. Ian is someone who works very hard and gives it all he has both in the classroom and running for the team. He is very deserving of this prestigious scholarship award."
The scholarship was granted to Cook as part of the Go Teach Project which aims to give athletic and academic departments a platform and the tools needed to assist with the recruitment of qualified student-athletes into the teaching profession.
The initiative's three main efforts include:
1) tuition support for student-athletes seeking final courses, degrees, or teacher certificate programs
2) active marketing and recruitment of great students into the teaching profession on college campuses
3) student-athlete leadership opportunities with teachers and students in K-12 classrooms.
"This is a great program that gives us a chance to assist deserving student-athletes who want to be teachers, which is the whole purpose behind the College Football Playoff Foundation," said Steinbrecher. "We're really appreciative of Dr. Pepper being a part of this and heading it up. This is going to allow him to complete his education and go on and be a great teacher, great role model, and great educator, which is exactly what we want to see occur."
"I am incredibly grateful that I no longer have to stress about paying my way through a graduate program," said Cook. "I can now fully focus on learning how to best teach English literacy to people around the world while still having some time and energy leftover to dedicate towards training and becoming the best athlete I can be. This scholarship grants me the unique opportunity to be able to chase both my dreams all at once."
Cook earned his undergraduate degree in English and Spanish education and a graduate degree in TESOL (Teaching English to speakers of other languages). Once he wraps up his time at EMU, the Ohio native hopes to travel around the world, learning different cultures while teaching English before becoming a traditional teacher. Furthermore, the harrier looks to stay involved in running via competitions in the U.S. and abroad.
Last fall, Cook and football student-athlete Tariq Speights, both Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representatives, worked on a voting initiative to educate and encourage student-athletes and others at the university to participate in the 2020 federal election. Together, they motivated a large percentage of EMU student-athletes to register to vote.
"I am really excited for Ian, he has worked so hard in his time at Eastern to grow as a student-athlete," said Head Cross Country Coach Mark Rinker. "Seeing him get publicly rewarded for all the work he has done in a way that will allow him to pursue his dreams as a teacher is awesome. He embodies what Eastern Michigan cross country/track & field is all about."
The Eastern Michigan University cross country program will host the Mid-American Conference Championships Saturday, Oct. 30, at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Ypsilanti, Mich. For updates on all things Eastern Michigan cross country and track and field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram and Twitter, @EMUXC_TF, and Facebook, @EMUXCTF.
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