Cooke signs with Dana College

Chad Cooke, a 1999 Douglas High graduate, has signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Dana College in Blair, Neb.

Cooke, who played for two years at Feather River College, decided to sign with the NAIA school after visiting the campus last week. Cooke was awarded an $18,000 a year scholarship to play with the Vikings. Dana plans to use Cooke at third base. Damon Day recently took over as coach of the Dana baseball team, which has captured nine Nebraska-Iowa Athletic Conference Championships. Dana plays in a "super conference" consisting of 13 teams.

Dana travels throughout the country, highlighted by a week-long spring trip to Florida and weekend trips to Missouri and Kanson.

Dana also hosts the "Nebraska Scout Day" which is an exposure camp for more than 20 Major League scouts to see the top talent in the surrounding area.

Dana is also beginning a $5 million renovation of its off season indoor facility that is scheduled for completion in 2003.

Cooke plans to major in physical education/sports management with a coaching endorsement for college baseball. The major strives to prepare graduates for college level coaching positions. Cooke will also receive a coaching internship with the Triple A organization, the Omaha Royals.

Cooke played for two years at Feather River College where he played second base, third base and catcher for the Golden Eagles. Feather River won the Golden Valley Conference title in 2001 and 2002.

In 2002, Feather River finished 33-12 and was ranked No. 7 in Northern California. The Golden Eagles were eliminated in the regional playoffs by No. 2 Sacramento City in a 3-2 loss in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Cooke joins two other Carson Country players at Dana, Carson High's Craig Martin and Yerington's Nate Landa.