We are ready to roll in Iowa on Sunday, November 24th!
The UMPS CARE Charities 4th Annual Eric Cooper Memorial Bowling Tournament Presented by the Iowa Cubs, will be held Sunday, November 24 at Gameday Lanes, 3800 Merle Hays Lane Road, in Des Moines.
The event is a special way to continue the legacy of Eric “Coop” Cooper, a beloved Major League Baseball umpire from Des Moines who passed away suddenly in 2019.
The bowling tournament not only brings Coop’s hometown community together for a fun-filled evening that honors his memory but also will continue his legacy by inspiring the next generation of umpires in Iowa.
Funds from this bowling tournament will support our Official Leadership Program for teens right here in Des Moines and Central Iowa. This 6-week course teaches young adults the mechanics needed to officiate youth baseball and softball, while also teaching leadership skills for use on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
Your support – either as a sponsor or a bowler – makes it possible for us to provide this course for free to local teens.
Special thanks to our presenting sponsor – the Iowa Cubs! The Iowa Cubs have supported our Official Leadership Program by inviting graduates to a ballgame to meet the umpire crew. The Iowa Cubs also honored Coop’s memory by naming the umpire clubhouse in his honor.
