Cody Cope

2019 Inductee

In addition to the categories of a former athlete, former coach, administrator, community contributor, and posthumous recognition, the Ridgeland Hall of Fame committee determined this year to enshine a special individual under the auspices of a new category.  This category recognizes those who have emerged as fixtures in the Panther Nation for their unparalleled zeal enthusiasm and devotion to all things Ridgeland.  These individuals are the living breathing embodiment of spirit.  They epitomize the heart of the Panther.  This year we are thrilled to induct the first ever member of the Heart of the Panther category.  In 2009, an individual walked into the halls of Ridgeland High School and over the course of the next four years until his graduation in 2013 emerged as the leader of an inseparable trio of panthers.   When not challenging his comrades, Canaan Middlebrooks and Seth Magee to wrestling title matches and when not firing Mr. Damon Raines, Mr. Cody Cope could reliably be found cheering on his Panthers Athletic team with the energy and enthusiasm of a wild bull.  Particularly on Friday nights both home and away, Cody Cope was the voice in the darkest of times sometimes the only voice of support and encouragement for our student-athletes.  For this, Mr. Cope received multiple recognitions including Mr. RHS, Most School Spirit, RHS football spirit leader, and RHS Biggest Fan.  If you want to know what boundless joy looks like, if you want to know what absolute loyalty looks like, if you want to know what sincere heartfelt humor looks like, if you want to know what pure kindness looks like, look no further than the 2019 Ridgeland Hall of Fame Heart of a Panther inductee Mr. Cody Cope.  

–Rob Stinson, 2019