Shacore Cooper '17 Recruiting Profile

Every man and women has a story in their life that helps them find their own identity in who they are and what they what to accomplish. Having an absent father growing up made me stronger and taught me independence which is a blessing in disguise because characteristics like these are ones most people attain after growing up not while growing up. My name is Shacore Sherifi named by my mother and passed down from generation to generation in my family, although on paper and all my life people all around me called me by the name of Shacore Cooper which is not the name of the man I am, but the last name of my absent father Neil Cooper. I know who I am and I know what I want to become and it is nothing of the man who was gone all my life and I refuse to let people label me as him.

I have always balanced my love of playing soccer and my educational interests. My passion for soccer stems from the honor I have in carrying on the spirit of my grandfather, Rexhep Etem Sherifi. My grandfather played soccer for his national team in Albania however communism forced him off the field. He bravely escaped his country and sought the American dream of living free to pursue your passion. I am living this dream today that started from my grandfather’s sacrifice. Playing soccer has been my childhood dream since I can remember. A part of my story is my name that reflects my identity. My dream is becoming a man that reflects who my Grandfather was by pursuing my dreams and continuing where he left off.