DANBURY, CONN. - Kendall Cooper, the graduate defenseman and captain for the Quinnipiac Bobcats, is named the recipient of the 2024-25 Wayne Dean Sportsmanship Award Winner.

The Wayne Dean Sportsmanship Award is an annual award given out at the conclusion of the ECAC Hockey regular season to the student-athlete (men's or women's) who demonstrates the highest level of integrity and sportsmanship. It was first awarded in 2023.

The award is named in honor of Wayne Dean, the former deputy director of athletics at Yale University. Dean played a significant role in the development of ECAC Hockey from his arrival in 1986 to his retirement in 2020. Dean died in November 2020, shortly after his retirement.

Cooper, a native of Burlington, Ontario, spent her entire career in Hamden, appearing in 158 career games with Quinnipiac. She served as an alternate captain for the 2023-24 season and then as captain for the 2024-25 season. She led her team to the quarterfinals of the ECAC Championship this season, where they faced the No. 4 seed at Clarkson. The Bobcats at the No. 5 seed were the only team to force three close games in a quarterfinal series this season.

Prior to her time with the Bobcats, Cooper also captained the U18 National Team for Hockey Canada and the U18 National Team in the Summer Series vs. Team USA. 

Cooper embodies what it means to be a leader both on and off the ice, and left her mark on the program. She leaves Quinnipiac as an All-ECAC team member all five seasons and a core part of the Bobcats' successful season.