User:Antedrago6

= Ante D. Cop = Ante Drago Cop (born November 7, 1974) is an American-Croatian soccer player/coach. He is a Professor in the Division of Psychology and Counseling and Head Women's Soccer Coach at NAIA Governors State University, which is located in University Park, IL, a suburb of Chicago. He is also the head coach of three youth teams at Indiana Elite FC, whose base city is Crown Point, IN.

Early Years
Cop is the son of Dubravka Ruzic-Cop and former Croatian professional footballer Mile Cop, who was capped by Yugoslavia and played for Borovo Selo, Crvena Zvezda, AS Nancy, Oakland Clippers and San Jose Earthquakes at the club level. Cop was born at Swedish Covenant Hospital on Chicago's Northside, but was raised on the Southside, first in Hyde Park, then in South Chicago. He has one older brother and one younger brother. He attended Marsh School for kindergarten and Sacred Heart Croatian School for grammar school.

Cop was a member of a number of youth soccer teams during his grade school years. He played for Croatan SC, Maroons and Homewood-Flossmoor SC. He was also a member of the Sacred Heart Croatian Tambura and Kolo Folklore ensemble and traveled to New York and Los Angeles to represent the group at Croatian events.

Mount Carmel High School
In August of 1988, Cop began his time at one of Chicago's top high school for student-athletes, Mount Carmel High School. Cop graduated from MC in June of 1992 after completing four years of Honors studies and finishing near the top of his class.

Soccer
As a four year varsity started for the Caravan, Cop broke or equaled many school records. He left Mt. Carmel as the all-time leading goal scorer with 89. He won the Catholic League Player of the Year Award as a senior in 1991. He was named All-Catholic League First team in 1989, 1990 and 1991. He was also named IHSA All-State First Team in 1991 as a forward and IHSA All-State Second Team as a goalkeeper.

At the Junior club level, Cop played for Maroons and Croatan SC.. He helped lead Croatan SC to numerous NISL and Metropolitan League titles. He also began his Senior career with appearances in the National Soccer League, Metropolitan Soccer League and Illinois State Cup.

Football
The Caravan won four Illinois High School Association State Championships in a row from 1988 (6A), 1989 (5A), 1990 (5A) to 1991 (5A) and won the Chicago Catholic League in 1988, 1990 and 1991 as well. Cop was part of the 89, 90 and 91 teams as a kicker and receiver and started as a kicker during his sophomore and senior seasons. He was named to multiple First Team All-State and All-Area teams and was also named All-Catholic League First Team as well.

Arizona State University
In the fall of 1992, Cop attended Arizona State University for his first year of college. He walked on for ASU Sun Devil football. At the end of his freshman year of college, he returned to Chicago and took a year off of college.

College of DuPage
Cop joined the Chaparrals in August of 1994 and became the starting goalkeeper for the National Junior College Athletic Association defending National Champions. He helped lead COD to a Region IV Title, a 27-1 record and a third place finish at the NJCAA Nationals in Trenton, NJ and was named in the NJCAA National Championship First XI.

New Hampshire College / Southern New Hampshire University
After his one year at College of DuPage, Cop transferred to NCAA Division 2 powerhouse New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University) for his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Cop led the Penmen to two NCAA National Tournament appearances, a New England Collegiate Conference title and a #1 national ranking in both 1995 and 1997.

He was the first Penmen goalkeeper to be named a NSCAA/Umbro All-American (1997), first goalkeeper to be named a NSCAA/Umbro All-Region First Team (1995 & 1997) and first goalkeeper to be named All-NECC First Team twice (1995 & 1997). He left the program in 1997 with multiple team and individual records to his name.

Professional / Amateur Career
Upon completion of his eligibility at Southern New Hampshire University, Cop was drafted by three separate teams in three separate leagues. He was taken by the Long Island Rough Riders in the USL A-League draft, the Buffalo Blizzard in the National Professional Soccer League draft and the Washington Warthogs in the Continental Indoor Soccer League draft.

Phantoms of New Hampshire
Cop signed with the Phantoms of New Hampshire for the 1998 season. He started in goal in three games for the Phantoms before leaving the club.

NK Marsonia Slavonski Brod
Cop left to pursue a contract in Croatia and landed with 1. HNL club Marsonia Slavonski Brod. He played with Marsonia in the 1998/99 and 1999/2000 seasons.

Tucson Fireballs
Cop left Croatia and signed with the Tucson Fireballs of the USL D3 League.