EP 58: Candace Cooper

Candace Cooper graduated from the University of North Carolina where she was the first black female swimmer in the school’s history, and obtained her Masters from Wake Forest. She has worked for 3 professional teams, and has hosted multiple podcasts, several radio shows, and most recently the CIAA Tournament. She’s currently starting a new position at Under Armour.

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We Discussed:

• Her collegiate career at University of North Carolina, where she was the first black female swimmer at the school, and business school at Wake Forest
• Swimming career starting at 8-years-old and how it was for her to often be the only black girl in the pool, and when she knew she could swim in college and beyond
• Disparity in race in swimming
• College athletics today versus when Candace was in school
• Thoughts on NIL and how Candace’s career would have been different in school had NIL been a thing then with her being the first black female swimmer at UNC
• Individual sports versus team sports, and mental health aspects
• Hosting the CIAA Tournament
• Thoughts on the collegiate conferences and how they have changed over the years
• The Tobacco Road Rivalry for people who haven’t experienced it
• Her current role at Under Armour as Lead Producer on Social Content