Terrell Kopping believes his purpose in life is to give, not to receive. And he lives by that mission by coaching youth area football, teaching local kiddos that good sportsmanship is more important than winning or losing. (Submitted photos)

Terrell Kopping began coaching youth football by chance. A Blugold senior, he’s been coaching area football teams for four years now and – even amid a pandemic – he finds a way to spread good sportsmanship to the next generation of quarterbacks, running backs, and defensive linemen.

“My passion is health and promoting activity,” Kopping said. “When I’m coaching, my main focus is to maintain a fun, active atmosphere. I want my team to have a positive experience being active.”

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MY PASSION IS HEALTH AND PROMOTING ACTIVITY. WHEN I'M COACHING, MY MAIN FOCUS IS TO MAINTAIN A FUN, ACTIVE ATMOSPHERE. I WANT MY TEAM TO HAVE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE BEING ACTIVE. 

TERRELL KOPPING

Blugold senior

Kopping has been playing football since middle school, as well as wrestling and weight lifting here and there. Now, he enjoys teaching the next generation of athletes about good sportsmanship, as well as leading strength, speed, and agility training programs for middle school students at the Eau Claire Sports Warehouse. Kopping has jumped around where he coaches, including the Sherman Elementary team for the YMCA Youth Football League (twice!) and assistant coaches for the Chippewa Valley Youth Tackle Football League. This year, he’s the head coach of flag football through Game On! Athletics.

“I had promised myself that when I came to college that I would be sure to step out of my comfort zone,” Kopping said, “and take advantage of any opportunities that could help me grow. Next thing I knew, I was at my first practice!” Health and fitness is something that’s incredibly important to Kopping, who chose to be a kinesiology major because he wants to take care of not only his health, but the health of his family and friends as well. He hopes to become a physical therapist and help others in their health journeys – no matter who they are.

“I realize that it’s not about what I receive in life, but rather what I give,” he said. “I guarantee that everyone on my team will feel like they have a spot and a coach who has their back.”