Calvin W. Burnett (Administrator): Burnett served as President of Coppin State University from 1970 to 2003. A former athlete, he always emphasized that the institution must maintain an equal balance with academics and athletics---student first, athlete second. He was just as proud as a student’s academic success as he was of an athlete’s prowess. Thus as the academic program expanded so did the athletic program. In 1980 Coppin joined the NCAA as a Division II program. Dr. Burnett and his executive cabinet diligently completed all requirements and Coppin became a NCAA Division I institution in 1983 and was awarded MEAC membership in 1985. Between 1985 and 2003 (Dr. Burnett’s retirement) Coppin won 24 conference team titles, 41 individual champions and had 9 student-athletes named conference players of the year.