Oberlin College Athletics

John Copeland, a native of South Carolina, Copeland graduated from Oberlin in 1937 with an A.B. in physical education and mathematics. He played baseball, basketball, football, and track at Oberlin and earned three varsity letters in baseball and one in track. He earned his numerals as a member of the freshman baseball team in 1934 and received three letters as a member of the varsity baseball team from 1935-37. A shortstop and spot reliever with the Yeomen, Copeland was elected captain of the baseball team his senior season. Copeland played two years on the freshman basketball team followed by two seasons with the varsity team. During the fall he played halfback on the football team and earned his numerals as a member of the freshman team in 1933. He made the varsity squad in 1934 and 1935, but had his football career cut short by a knee injury during his junior season. In addition to playing baseball during the spring, Copeland was also a sprinter on the track team. He competed in the 100- and 220-yard dashes, the 880-yard relay, and the broadjump. After leaving Oberlin, Copeland took employment with the YMCA and stayed with the organization for 42 years. He served as vice president for the YMCA of metropolitan Detroit, was a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Board of Directors, and was a member of the N.A.A.C.P. Board of Directors. He remained an active participant in athletics after graduating from Oberlin, playing semi-pro baseball for two years with the Carter Athletic Club of Seattle, Washington, and as a member of the Pacific Northwest Officials Association.