Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1518483
April/May 2024 | maconmagazine.com 33 needed some help or whatever, I was there to let them know how I felt about them. What his students say "I always find myself quoting him, trying to instill character. My vision and mission at the school right now is 'character plus intelligence is the true goal of education.' Of course, that's a Martin Luther King quote, but Coach Copeland taught me that." — Tawanya Wilson (Mucker), principal of Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School "I was under him for a few years before he handed the torch to me — I got to learn a whole lot. Not just about basketball, but life itself — and the business side of basketball and athletic directing. He said it's not about being cute. You gotta get out here and work." — Cynthia Cornelius, former Northeast head basketball coach, current business teacher at Stockbridge High School "We knew we were protected, represented, and respected as the human beings that we were and are. You know, it wasn't just authoritative. He coached, he directed, and he loved. You knew he loved what he was doing and what he was giving to us." — Pamela King, Air Force and Army veteran and veteran's advocate "He's always been a great person, always took the time to talk to his students and players. So that's what we love about him. He took the time out for us, and we appreciate him for that." — Cora Smelter, civilian employee at Robins Air Force Base "He wasn't just a coach, he wasn't just about the sport, he was about your well-being. He means the world to us as this dynamic coach and person." — Brenda Thomas, Macon-Bibb County fire prevention chief Heard on social media: "He always made sure we had discipline and operated in integrity. He used so many sayings that are applicable today in life that I often use. One of my favorite sayings is, 'Excuses weakens one's character!'" — Nakeitra Odoms "He saw me standing in the lunchroom line, and he said hello and asked me what my name was, and I replied, 'Sheila Worthy.' He was never my coach or anything like that, but he always called me 'Worthy' after that meeting. He cared enough about me to remember by name. I knew he cared about me. That meant a lot to a girl who had low self- esteem." — Sheila Ann Worthy "He said, 'Garrett, go run the 880.' I was so far behind, the next race started. I became his track trainer for the next 4 years." — Adina Garrett "I had the honor to play for Coach Copeland. [I was] the smallest one on the team, but he pushed me and made me feel 10 feet tall. He told me that I could do anything if I worked hard, believed in myself, and gave it my all. I have taken those words and used them my entire adulthood and in my career. People often asked me where my 'do not stop, do not give up' comes from. I tell them, if you would have ever played for my high school basketball coach, you would understand! Thanks, Coach!" — Annette Brantley Newsome "We knew we were protected, represented, and respected as the human beings that we were and are." FROM LEFT Pamela King; Cynthia Cornelius; Cora Smelter; Brenda Thomas; Tawanya Wilson (Mucker)