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Fifteen years after she swam her last lap in orange and blue, CeCe (Marizu) Cooper’s name is still all over the Illini women’s swimming and diving record book.
And the lessons learned from one particularly impactful academic advisor a decade-and-a-half ago are still a big part of the star backstroker's life, post-pool.
Kathy Kaler “truly cared about the success of the student-athletes in the classroom and in their sport. She honestly cared most about us as people and in our lives after sport,” says the 2010 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award winner and two-degree UI alumna, now a senior content producer for Apple Fitness+ in Santa Monica, Calif.
“Kathy taught me to give more than I received and always kept us all involved in the local community. She’s a true hero in my book and I can truly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. I’m terrible at staying in touch, but I’m forever in her debt for finding a career path that I love and never settling.”
As for a most memorable spot on campus, the swimmer with the second-fastest 200 backstroke time in program history will go with the venue where she logged many of her top times.
“The place I have the most vivid memories of on campus is the ARC (IMPE),” she says. “The pool was our home and where I spent most of my time with my teammates. We learned to be dedicated in and out of the water.
“I loved morning practices at the start of the school year when we swam outside. When there was an early morning game, you could hear the band getting ready and smell the tailgates starting. It was the best!
“We created so many memories in that pool after it was renovated. It’s one of the places where I had my highest highs and some of my lowest lows competing.
“Who knew places could also shape who you are as a person.”
