By Tom Kowalski
NFL Continuing Education Consultant
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Terrance Copper caught 139 passes at East Carolina University, ranking third on the Pirate’s all-time reception list. Now an eight-year veteran of the NFL, Copper has returned to ECU to chase another milestone – his college degree. For the second consecutive offseason, Copper has returned to school to pursue his degree in Industrial Distribution and Logistics.
Each week, Terrance goes to his computer, links into his class, and finds out what work will be due in the coming week. He has learned how to take better notes while reading and how to manage his time effectively while completing his college degree in a rather unconventional way. Admittedly difficult, he has returned to school for all the right reasons, catching the one thing that alluded him years ago at East Carolina University – his college degree. In this interview, Copper discusses why he decided to return to school and what some of the challenges have been.
PE: Why did you want to return to school?
TC: The biggest reason that I wanted to return to school is to earn my degree. I have kids of my own and I can’t preach to them about returning to school if I haven’t finished. It’s also important for me to say my degree is from East Carolina University. East Carolina does a great job of getting students jobs in that field [Industrial Distribution and Logistics].
PE: What has been the most difficult part of returning to school?
TC: The most difficult part is taking classes online. I am more of a sit-down, visual, hands-on person, and I prefer learning in the classroom, but because of my schedule it was not possible. Taking classes online is not difficult in a way that it is too hard, but it is different. It is definitely more work online than in the classroom.
PE: Are there opportunities to communicate with other students who are taking online classes?
TC: There are discussion boards where we can pose questions and answer questions. The hardest part is whether you contact a professor or you pose a question on the discussion board, you sometimes have to wait 24 hours for an answer. I want to find out the answer right when I ask the question. I don’t want to have to wait. Like in a regular classroom the professor is available, but usually only by e-mail. It is a different way to learn and you have to get used to it to be successful.
PE: What advice would you have for other players who are thinking about returning to school?
TC: I would tell other players that the sooner they can return the better. When you are in your first or second year in the league, everything is still kind of fresh in your mind. I am going into my eighth year in the NFL. If I had it to do over again, I would have gone back to school earlier. East Carolina has been very supportive of my return to school. I have a house near campus and the support that I get from the school and the community is incredible.
PE: How do you balance family, school, and preparing for the upcoming season?
TC: I can tell you that it is difficult. But I am very lucky. My wife is awesome. She runs the show and keeps us all on task. It is tough for me and it is tough for her, but she is very supportive of my education.
PE: Eventually all football players make the transition to former player. What do you plan to do once your career ends?
TC: Well, hopefully I still have some time before that day arrives. But once it does, I think I will want to take some time off and then carefully consider my options. Having my degree assures me that I will have options.