[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-football-welcome-home-celebration\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-football-welcome-home-celebration\/","headline":"Faulkner Football \u201cWelcome Home\u201d Celebration\u00a0","name":"Faulkner Football \u201cWelcome Home\u201d Celebration\u00a0","description":"John Cooper #57 played in Faulkner\u2019s first football game at Billy D Hilyer Stadium in 2012. In June 2006, Faulkner University announced the start of its football program. The team played its first varsity season in fall 2007 at Montgomery\u2019s…","datePublished":"2025-10-24","dateModified":"2025-10-24","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/author\/rbradford\/#Person","name":"Robin Bradford","url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/author\/rbradford\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fe4b46f646027e1b6cadf846db299f2d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/fe4b46f646027e1b6cadf846db299f2d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Faulkner University","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Official-Horizontal-480x128.png","url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Official-Horizontal-480x128.png","width":480,"height":128}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012-John-Cooper-57-first-ever-football-game-at-Billy-D-Hilyer-Stadium-1000053142.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012-John-Cooper-57-first-ever-football-game-at-Billy-D-Hilyer-Stadium-1000053142.jpg","height":735,"width":960},"url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-football-welcome-home-celebration\/","about":["Alumni","Athletics","Highlights","News"],"wordCount":895,"articleBody":"John Cooper #57 played in Faulkner\u2019s first football game at Billy D Hilyer Stadium in 2012.In June 2006, Faulkner University announced the start of its football program. The team played its first varsity season in fall 2007 at Montgomery\u2019s Cramton Bowl Stadium. In 2012, Eagles football officially came home to campus with the opening of John Mark Stallings Field in Billy D. Hilyer Stadium. Whether you wore the royal blue in 2007 or as recently as 2024, Faulkner invites all former players and coaches to return for the \u201cWelcome Home\u201d Celebration during the Nov. 1, 2025, Homecoming football game. For $25, former players, coaches and their families can enjoy a pregame tailgate meal, reconnect with teammates, and receive admission to the Faulkner vs. Campbellsville game and Homecoming festivities. The registration includes parking for one vehicle and entry for the former player, coach, spouse and children. Former players and coaches who register by Oct. 27 will be honored as part of the Homecoming festivities. Registration is available at faulknereagles.com under Tickets > Faulkner Athletic Events > Faulkner Football \u201cWelcome Home\u201d Celebration.\u00a0John Cooper, who played from 2010 to 2013, has started a Faulkner Football Alumni Facebook Group to help connect players and coaches. Former coach Chuck Knapp, who served from 2007 to 2019, and former player and alumnus David Woodason (2009\u20132013) are also helping organize the event. Both Cooper and Knapp looked back on their time with Faulkner Eagles Football. Q&A with John Cooper  Q: How did you first get connected with the Faulkner Football Team? A: I was contacted by Coach Greg Baker after he reviewed my high school film and invited me for a campus visit in winter 2010. I met the staff, future professors, and toured the campus. Q: What years were you associated with Faulkner Football and in what capacity? A: I played offensive line from 2010 to 2013. I was blessed to play at Crampton Bowl and to start during the first-ever game at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium against Lindsey Wilson in 2012. That inaugural home game ended in a Faulkner victory. (Insert picture 1) In those early years, it was nothing but excitement. From 2010 to 2014, we saw the program transition from its beginning stages to showing real success. I\u2019m grateful for the relationships and experiences Faulkner and Faulkner Football gave me. Q: What is one of your favorite memories as an Eagle? A: Meeting my wife, Beth Morgan Cooper, at a Faulkner social club event is my favorite memory. The best thing about Faulkner is not just the Christian education but the relationships and experiences. Winning the Mid-South Conference Championship in 2013 was pretty sweet too. l-r Beth (Morgan) Cooper and John CooperQ: What are you doing now? A: I\u2019ve been in education and coaching for 12 years, primarily in exceptional student education. I\u2019m entering my third season as head football coach of the Franklin County Seahawks and am close to becoming the winningest coach in school history. Faulkner prepared me well for this career. Q: Any final thoughts? A: I absolutely love Faulkner and what it has given me. I\u2019d like to give back. At a smaller college, your experience is different, so our alumni can still make a real impact by supporting the current team. Our football program is now old enough for alumni to come back and show support for the next generation of Eagles. Q&A With Chuck Knapp Q: How did you first get connected with the Faulkner Football Team? A: I was working as the assistant director of admissions when Dr. Hilyer asked if I\u2019d be interested in helping with Faulkner\u2019s first football team. I jumped at the opportunity. Q: What years were you associated with Faulkner Football and in what capacity? A: I worked with the program from its first year in 2007 through 2019 as a position coach and director of football operations. Q: What is one of your favorite memories as an Eagle? A: There are too many to count, from our first win to our first playoff appearance during the 2013 snowstorm. But the relationships mean the most. The bonds formed with coaches and players over the years still bring a smile to my face. The scores and plays may fade, but the brotherhood lasts. The Knapp family after Faulkner\u2019s first football conference championship game in 2013.Q: Share a few words about reconnecting with Faulkner Football alumni. A: It\u2019s been a blessing to reconnect with past players and coaches. We\u2019ve hosted similar events before, and it\u2019s always great to sit down and visit with the guys you spent so much time with. This year\u2019s event will be even bigger. Athletic Director Reed Sutton and Jeremy Smith have worked hard to make it special, and I can\u2019t wait for everyone to see the vision Coach Dayne Brown has for this team. Q: Any final thoughts? A: Faulkner University will always hold a special place in my heart. Now both of my sons play football for Faulkner and get to experience what this university means to so many families. Playing high-level college football at a strong Christian university is a blessing, and now they\u2019re part of the Faulkner Football brotherhood too. The Knapp family during a Faulkner football game in 2025."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Faulkner Football \u201cWelcome Home\u201d Celebration\u00a0","item":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-football-welcome-home-celebration\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]