Copeland to play for Andrew College
Published 1:00 pm Sunday, June 17, 2018
- C.J. Copeland (front center) will be taking his soccer skills from Tift County to Andrew College after signing Saturday. Copeland was joined by his parents (front row) Colandra and Chad Copeland. On the back row is current Andrew coach Taylor Jones and Tift County’s Bobby Earls.
TIFTON — C.J. Copeland joined Tift County’s soccer program as a sophomore. Saturday, those three years turned into at least two more when he inked a college scholarship.
Copeland signed with Cuthbert-based Andrew College in a ceremony held at Northeast Campus with family, friends and his coaches from basketball and soccer in attendance.
“We’re here to celebrate this young man and the next chapter of his life,” said Tift boys head soccer coach Bobby Earls.
Earls said Copeland had expressed interest in playing after basketball season to Zac Martin, who was then Earls’ assistant (Martin took over the girls program this year). Though the seasons of the two sports have clashed every season, Copeland became a standout in both sports.
“A go-getter,” said Earls.
Earls had nothing but praise for Copeland, both as an athlete and as an individual.
“He makes everybody around him better — a better person,” said Earls. “He made me a better coach.”
A midfielder, Copeland scored two goals during his career and added three assists. He started 12 of 25 matches he played, 11 of his starts coming as a senior.
On the basketball court, he scored 119 points as a senior, mostly operating as a three-point and defensive specialist. He had a season high of 10 points against Impact Christian (Fla.). Copeland was a member of the 2017 Class AAAAAAA championship basketball team and one of only seven Blue Devils to see action in the state finals against Norcross.
Copeland was All-Region honorable mention in basketball in 2017 and was Tift’s All-Region student-athlete pick in 2018. He played the sport all four years of high school.
With Andrew College starting his next level of education, Copeland may soon positively impact even more lives. His mother, Colandra, said C.J. is planning to major in education. Earls said C.J. had expressed interest in coaching.
“I hope he comes back here to give back to his community,” said Earls.
Andrew College’s new head coach, Taylor Jones, was also in attendance Saturday.
“Coach (Jones), you’re getting a great young man,” said Earls.
