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When the bright lights are off and the SIU Arena is empty, it is Dion Coopwood's time to shine.

Coopwood, a senior guard, has played a unique role for the Salukis during his two-season career, usually only playing a few minutes per game,if any at all. But when practice starts for the team, Coopwood said he becomes the "go-to man."

This is when the 5-foot-7-inch, 170-pound guard transforms from No. 12 on the Salukis to a variety of the conference's top guards, from Illinois State's Osiris Eldridge to Drake's Josh Young to Bradley's Daniel Ruffin.

It's Coopwood's simulation of the opposing players that Bryan Mullins said gets the team ready for game day.

"To be honest, you get sick of him guarding you," the junior guard said, cracking a smile. "He never stops in practice and always comes as hard as he can, every minute, no matter what the situation."

Often Coopwood will play from the opening seconds of practice to the final free throws without taking a break, and he said that's the way he wants it to be. He said playing for a team is all about embracing a specific role.

For Coopwood, that role is to be a tenacious, high-energy defender who never quits under any circumstances.

"I would get stitches in my head and get right back to practice if I had to," Coopwood said. "If I'm not out there playing as hard as I can then I'm not doing my part, and the team won't be ready for the game because of it."

It was that type of hard work and tenacity that drew Coopwood to SIU initially.

Coopwood started his collegiate career at Upper Iowa University where he said he could have notched big minutes, but the blue-collar work ethic of SIU was more important to him.

Coach Chris Lowery said his hard work and attitude is irreplaceable and will be missed when he leaves.

"He plays hard every single day and that's why he was put on scholarship," Lowery said. "I'm a very loyal person and if you bring something to our table that shows you are willing to go above and beyond, then obviously you want to be a part of this family."

The intensity Coopwood brings to the floor is what has made him one of the favorites of the Dawg Pound. Any time he gets ready to check in to the game, the Dawg Pound lets out a big "Coop" chant to welcome him to the floor.

Coopwood said the Dawg Pound has always been a big part of what the Salukis do and he is happy to have been a favorite of the section.

Now that the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament looms ahead for the Salukis, Coopwood said he knows he only has a few games left to leave a mark on the program.

While the main goals are to win the conference tournament and make the NCCA Tournament, Coopwood said he wants to leave something for the younger players to build off of.

"When the last day comes, I just want everyone to know I gave it everything I had," he said. "You deal with the downs and get back up with hard work. My days are numbered so it's my job to make sure the young guys know that."

When his final day as a Saluki comes, Coopwood said he hopes to get a job where he can utilize his engineering degree or follow his other passion of snipping and trimming in the barbershop.

Jeff Engelhardt can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 269 or jengel@siu.edu.

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