inducted into the prorodeo hall of fame in colorado springs, colorado, in 1979, cooper was part of the hall's inaugural class of enshrinees in the category of tie-down roping. for his skills in calf roping, he acquired the nickname of "super looper". the prorodeo hall of fame calls cooper "one of the most dominant ropers in the history of the sport." he was noted for his speed and quick hands, in addition to his rope-tossing ability. calf roping champion toots mansfield said of cooper that he had "perfected the art of roping and tying a calf about as far as it can be perfected." fellow cowboy joe beaver praised cooper's consistency and ability to avoid errors and said, "at his prime, he had no competition." cooper and other members of his family have founded the cooper rodeo foundation, which aids children and young adults in rodeo.