Pirates’ life for Pickett

By Wyndi Veigel on Wednesday, February 15, 2023
  • Present for Cooper Pickett’s signing to the Southwestern Pirates were: Cooper’s grandma Suzanne Heddins (back row, left to right), Athletic Director Greg Hardcastle, Grandfather Glenn Heddins, Stepfather Paul Tyus, Grandmother Cheryl Pickett, Coach Dalton Soullas, Stepmother Jena Pickett, brother Linden; Mother Lindsay Tyus (front row), Cooper Pickett, Father Michael Pickett. Both Griffin Pickett and Emma Tyus could not be there due to school schedules. Wyndi Veigel | Citizen staff photo
    Present for Cooper Pickett’s signing to the Southwestern Pirates were: Cooper’s grandma Suzanne Heddins (back row, left to right), Athletic Director Greg Hardcastle, Grandfather Glenn Heddins, Stepfather Paul Tyus, Grandmother Cheryl Pickett, Coach Dalton Soullas, Stepmother Jena Pickett, brother Linden; Mother Lindsay Tyus (front row), Cooper Pickett, Father Michael Pickett. Both Griffin Pickett and Emma Tyus could not be there due to school schedules. Wyndi Veigel | Citizen staff photo

    Cooper Pickett is looking forward to his future of playing football for the Southwestern University Pirates in Georgetown.

    On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Pickett signed to play football as an offensive line guard, complete with $48,000 in scholarships and grants for academic excellence. He will be studying kinesiology for physical therapy.

    At the signing ceremony, Pickett was surrounded by his family, friends, coaches, teachers and administrators wishing him well in his future.

    Pickett will graduate from Dublin High School in May.

    The family praised Coach Dalton Soullas for how much he aided the family and how he was part of Cooper’s success.

    “Mine and Lindsey’s heart will always be open,” Paul Tyus, Cooper’s stepfather said at the ceremony.

    The family also thanked Athletic Director Greg Hardcastle, Principal Norma Brisceno and Vice Principal Cedric Ivie.