COACH 1984 - PRESENT

Roy came to Apex High School in 1984 when he was hired to teach and serve as the athletic director. He served as an assistant coach with the girls basketball team and as the coach of the first girls soccer team that year as well.

He took over as the head coach of girls and boys cross country and track and field teams in the fall of 1985, positions he continues to hold to this day. His teams have posted a combined overall record of 1157-320-1, with 50 conference championships and 62 top 10 state finishes for the past 35 years. During his tenure as coach, Apex athletes or teams have made the state championships in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field in 100 consecutive seasons (this streak started in 1986). He has served as a regional or state meet director for the NCHSAA on 30 different occasions and has been the meet director of the Apex Lions’ Relays for the past 35 years. Roy has also worked at the national high school outdoor track and field championships for the past 20 years and at the national high school cross country championships for the past 15 years. In 2018, Cooper was one of two winners of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Toby Webb coach of the year award.