Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

UMass Lowell Athletics

THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF UMASS LOWELL ATHLETICS

UMass Lowell Athletics Hall of Fame

HOF - John Copley

John Copley

  • Class
    1987
  • Induction
    1992
  • Sport(s)
    Football
(1992) - The all-time leading pass receiver in the modern era (post 1980) of the Chiefs' football program, John Copley was a four-year letterman playing three years for John Perreault and one year for Dennis Scannell. Originally a member of the Class of 1986, he was elected to the Athletic Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility, and is the second football player from the modern era to be inducted.

At the time of his graduation in 1987, Copley was the all-time leading receiver in New England among Division III (post 1973) players. In 35 career games, he caught 156 passes for 1928 yards and 7 touchdowns. He caught at least one pass in every game he played, one shy of the NCAA Division II record. He held the school single-season receiving record until 1989.

Copley did not play football his freshman year. As a first-year player in 1983, he led the team in receiving with 38 receptions good for 424 yards and one touchdown despite missing one game with an injury. The next season, he helped the Chiefs to their first winning season (5-4), catching 35 passes for 468 yards and three touchdowns.

Noted more for his excellent hands and pass routes, Copley enjoyed his best season in 1985 when he caught a then-record 49 passes for 612 yards and three touchdowns in nine games. He closed out his career with 34 receptions for 424 yards as a fifth-year student in 1986.
Explore HOF Explore UMass Lowell Athletics Hall of Fame Members