Clinical professor receives 2023 Korey Stringer Institute Lifesaving Award for Service

Bud Cooper, clinical professor and clinical education coordinator in the Department of Kinesiology, received the 2023 Lifesaving Award for Service from the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute (KSI).

Named for Korey Stringer, a former Minnesota Vikings player who passed away from exertional heat stroke in 2001, KSI formed in 2010 to research and educate about exertional heat stroke prevention and improve safety measures for athletes.

The award recognizes outstanding service in promoting the institute’s mission, which is geared toward reducing sudden death in sport through research, education, and advocacy. In the past year, Cooper’s work included serving as a guest speaker at “Team Up for School Safety” meetings in eight states, where he presented his research in Georgia and how other states can implement similar policies.

“It is an honor to be recognized by KSI for my contributions to research and promoting ways for individual states to develop sound practice and safety policies to reduce exertional heat illness risk,” Cooper said.

Cooper accepted the award at the KSI annual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 18.