Huskers Mourn Loss of Jenna Cooper

Memorial Information

A memorial service for Jenna Cooper will be held on campus Tuesday, April 27, at 3 p.m. on Level 3 of West Memorial Stadium. Cooper, who was a three-year starter for the Nebraska women’s soccer team, passed away on Sunday evening after she was shot at her home early Sunday morning. The memorial service is open to the public and informal attire is preferred at the family’s request. Off campus visitors can park in the Area 10 parking lot surrounding the Nebraska Champions Club west of Memorial Stadium.

Funeral arrangements in her hometown of Louisville, Ky., have not been finalized but are tentatively set for 10 a.m. on Friday, April 30.

Visitations will be Thursday
from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. at the following
Pearson Funeral Home
149 Breckenridge Lane
Louisville, KY 40207.

The funeral is set for Friday
at 10 a.m.
The Cathedral of the Assumption
443 South 5th Street
Louisville, Ky.

A memorial fund has been established in Cooper’s honor. The family has asked that memorials go toward the University of Nebraska women’s soccer program. Individuals may send memorials to the Jenna Cooper Soccer Memorial Fund at the University of Nebraska Athletic Development Office. Checks should be made payable to the University of Nebraska Foundation.

Those wishing to send memorials may mail them to the address below:

Jenna Cooper Soccer Memorial Fund
University of Nebraska
Athletic Development Office
#117 South Stadium
Lincoln, NE 68588-0154
(402) 472-2367

Those wishing to send cards to the soccer team may mail them to the address below:

Nebraska Women’s Soccer Office
1101 Avery Ave.
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68588-0218

Those who would like to send cards to the family, may mail them to the following addresses:

Ellen Cooper
2204 Northfield Drive
Louisville, KY 40222

William Cooper
8307 Brownsboro Road
Louisville, KY 40241

Lincoln -- University of Nebraska athletic department officials confirmed Sunday that Jenna Cooper died at 7:21  p.m. at Bryan LGH West of injuries sustained in a shooting that occurred at Cooper’s home early Sunday morning.

Cooper, 21, was a UNL junior, majoring in mechanical engineering, and played defender for the Nebraska women’s soccer team. 

Nebraska head soccer coach John Walker said, “Jenna was a great, great person, teammate and player. It was an absolute pleasure to have her on the team and to know her as a friend and teammate.  She had an unbelieveable work ethic.  She was kind and generous, well respected by her teammates.  She was a selfless person who always wanted to the best for the team.  She so desperately wanted to be a great captain and took her leadership role seriously.   Everyone who had the opportunity to meet her, loved her.  She was a wonderful, wonderful person.  Any parent would be proud to have their daughter be like her.”

Cooper came to Nebraska after playing high school soccer for Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, Ky., where she earned first-team all-state honors both on the field and in the classroom.

“The University of Nebraska is a better place because Jenna Cooper made us a part of her life,” NU Athletic Director Steve Pederson said.  “Some young people come to campus and leave a mark that will never be forgotten.  Jenna is one of those people.  We thank her parents for sharing their treasure with us.  Our hearts go out to Jenna’s family, friends, and all those in Nebraska whose life she touched.  They say the sign of a life well lived is the outpouring of love from others.  Today I have witnessed just how much she was loved.”

Cooper was a particular favorite among youth soccer fans throughout Lincoln and Nebraska.  She was active in the elementary schools promoting healthy life-styles, was actively involved in youth soccer, worked numerous youth and Big Red soccer camps, and was always the last to leave the field after games, while talking to her young fans and signing autographs.  Jenna will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

“Jenna is the strongest girl I know,” junior goalkeeper Brooke Bredenberg said.  “She is the most loving person I have ever met.  Whatever she did, she always gave her all and never quit.”

Christy Harms, a senior defender and teammate, said, “She was amazing, passionate and enthusiastic about life in everything she did.  She was the most determined person I know.  Jenna was an unbelievable loving and hilarious person.  She was my best friend and I am so lucky to have known her.” 

Cooper was a three-year starter for the Huskers and one of the top defenders in the Big 12 Conference. She earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2003, after leading the team with 14 assists and ranking second on the squad with 18 points. She started 69 of 70 career games for Nebraska and helped lead the Huskers to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, scoring 33 points on four goals and 25 assists.  Her assists rank seventh on the NU career chart, while her seven game-winning assists rank tied for fifth.

A team co-captain for the Huskers in 2003, Cooper earned first-team All-Big 12 honors this past season, after being named to the Big 12’s All-Newcomer team as a true freshman in 2001.  She earned a spot on the 2002 Big 12 All-Tournament team after scoring the game-winning goal in Nebraska’s championship game victory over Texas A&M.  Cooper played with the U.S. Under-20 National Team in 2001 and the U.S. Under-21 National Team in 2002.

She was a first-team all-state selection in 2000 and a second-team all-state selection in 1999.  She was also named to the Kentucky Cup All-Tournament team in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Jenna is survived by her parents, William and Ellen Cooper, and her older brother Billy.  She was born on Sept. 28, 1982 in Louisville, Ky.