After being inspired to deal with his alcoholism four years ago. Michael Cooper is working to help students learn from his mistakes.
Cooper, a Ball State University graduate and motivational speaker, told the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity a story of personal obstacles in his life that led to a major drinking problem, which he eventually overcame.
"You see, beer became my best friend, and it turned on me," Cooper said.
His program, "Be good to yourself," emphasized taking a positive approach to dealing with problems.
The program, unlike similar events other fraternities have held, was open to the public; however, SAE members were the only people to attend.
"It was open to the public because it applies to everyone," Matthew Heffernan, president of SAE, said. Heffernan said the fraternity wanted to start off Homecoming Week with a positive attitude toward alcohol.
Cooper, who was in SAE when he attended Ball State, approached SAE about having an event. He said Sunday night was the first time he spoke to college-aged students about alcoholism.
"It is a way to give back to the house," Cooper said.
Cooper started motivational speaking in 2003 at a "Spirituality and Addiction" program, which coincidently took place on his first-year anniversary of being sober. During his first two years of speaking, Cooper has gone to more than 250 high schools and middle schools to give motivational talks. He is expecting to speak at more than 150 schools during the 2005-06 school year.
He said he thought the smaller environment at the SAE event was more influential.
"When I'm presenting at high schools, I'm presenting to 500 students packed into a gym," Cooper said. "The smaller setting seems more impactful."
Cooper said he never drank alcohol in high school.
"My temptations to drink started at Ball State," Cooper said.
The problem was not started because of his activity in the fraternity, but he said it started in the residence halls. Cooper said across the nation, one in four incoming freshmen experience academic difficulties because of alcohol.
"Respect the power of alcohol," he said to the group. "You gotta find positive ways to deal with the problems in your life."
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