Cooper Rush C12 Honored with 2024 Mission Award for Excellence

NFL Quarterback and Alumnus Recognized for Leadership and Excellence

Mission Award | Excellence - 2024 This award recognizes an alumnus who continued as a student-athlete during his or her college career. Criteria to receive the award include participation in a minimum of two years in an intercollegiate athletic sport, an earned varsity letter in that sport, completion of a four-year college program, and an earned bachelor’s degree.

Cooper Rush graduated from Lansing Catholic HS in 2012 after leading the football team to excellence as the Cougar quarterback, a run that included a trip to the football state finals. As a senior, Rush received All-State, Associated Press’ Michigan Division 5/6 Player of the Year and ESPN’s Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year honors. Off the field, Cooper pursued excellence in the classroom and was known as a quiet, steady presence, who led by example. 

Cooper attended Central Michigan University where he again excelled on and off the field, finishing his college career with 49 straight starts and 12,894 passing yards. He graduated with a 3.89 GPA and a degree in actuarial science. Rush was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2017 and has a 5-1 record as a NFL starter. Cooper and his wife Laurynn have two daughters, Ayla and Evelyn, and reside in Dallas, Texas. 

Each year, Lansing Catholic High School presents four awards to our alumni and community members who, through their dedication and accomplishments, exemplify one of our four cornerstones. Presentation of the Lansing Catholic Mission Awards are as follows:

Mission Award | Faith presented during Catholic Schools Week (Jan./Feb.)

Mission Award | Service presented during Work-A-Thon (May)

Mission Award | Excellence presented during Homecoming week’s Grandparent Mass (Sept./Oct.)

Mission Award | Tradition presented during Fr. Mac Dinner (May)

Have an alumni to nominate? Contact us at: alumni@lansingcatholic.org or by calling 517-267-2153.