For many college students, the “golden years” are defined by a blur of short-term pleasures—weekend parties, sleeping in, and drifting through general education requirements. But for David Cooper, a student whose drive is as sharp as his delivery in a debate round, the focus is firmly on the long game.
From the high-stakes podiums of a Florida speech tournament to the disciplined atmosphere of the gym, Cooper is carving out a path defined by one simple, unrelenting goal: to be the best.
Dominance on the Floor: The Florida Sweep
Cooper recently returned from a speech and debate tournament in Florida that tested both his skill and his stamina. While travel tournaments often sound like vacations to outsiders, the reality is a grueling marathon of mental gymnastics and sleep deprivation. Despite a 4:00 AM wake-up call to catch a flight home, Cooper returned with more than just a lack of sleep—he brought back a heavy collection of hardware.
Cooper participated in a staggering seven events, a workload that would exhaust even the most seasoned competitors:
- Informative Speaking
- Persuasive Speaking
- Impromptu
- Duo Interpretation
- Extemporaneous
- After Dinner Speaking
- Parliamentary Debate
The outcome was a near-total sweep. Cooper secured five first-place finishes, winning every category he entered except for ADS and Parley. This level of dominance isn’t accidental; it’s the result of a “practice anywhere” mentality. While other students might have been lounging by the hotel pool, Cooper was often found in the parking lot, running his sets and refining his transitions.
“I found something that I was good at,” Cooper says of his commitment to the team. “I was like, ‘You know what? I’m gonna give this thing my all.’ It feels really good to know that you’re good at something.”
The Mind-Body Connection: From Psychologyto Exercise Science
While his weekends are spent in suits, his weekdays are dominated by the iron. As an Exercise Science major, Cooper’s academic path is deeply personal. Originally a Psychology major, his trajectory shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic. During a time of global uncertainty, he discovered that the most effective way to manage his own mental health was through physical discipline.
“Your body and your mind are connected,” Cooper explains. “You improve your body, your mind improves as well. It’s done so much for me and I want to help other people through that.”
His shift from Psychology to Exercise Science wasn’t a change in mission, but a change in method. Whether he is serving guests at Olive Garden or designing a high-performance workout program, his core motivation remains rooted in a desire to provide “actual, applicable advice.” He doesn’t just want to talk about wellness; he wants to provide the physiological tools that allow people to change their lives for the better.
A Different Kind of College Experience
Cooper is the first to admit he doesn’t fit the “normal” college mold. Between a demanding course load, a job, and the double-discipline of the gym and the speech team, there isn’t much room for the typical party scene. To him, that isn’t a sacrifice; it’s an investment.
“I try to focus on the things that matter,” he says. “I try to focus on the long term instead of the short term… I’m trying to build a life worth living.”
This philosophy of “long-term over short-term” is what sets Cooper apart. While his peers might be looking for the next Saturday night plan, Cooper is looking at the next five years. He wants to be the most qualified person in his field—the person people turn to because his expertise is backed by both a degree and a personal transformation.
Final Thoughts
Even with five gold medals in his bag and a clear professional trajectory, Cooper remains grounded. When asked what he wants the campus community to know about him, his message was simple, direct, and perhaps a bit of a recruitment pitch for the activity that helped him find his voice:
“Join the speech and debate club.”