Alexander Joseph Coogan and his brother Parker both of Kingwood, Texas, passed away in 2021. Parker Coogan passed away on April 27, in 2021, he was former Columbia University football player and his death was said to have been caused by an accidental combination of drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. Parker was 24 years old at the time of his passing. Alex died on Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Galveston, Texas, a cause of death was not publicly released.
About Parker Coogan
Parker worked as a sales and trading analyst for Barclays Investment Bank in New York City. Coogan, a two-time All-Ivy League offensive lineman in 2018 and 2019, started 32 games in his career, including 30 at center and right guard. As a sophomore, he started 10 games as right guard before switching to center for his junior and senior seasons. He played almost every snap during his senior year before suffering a mid-game injury in the season finale against Cornell.
In addition to being a four-year letterman, Coogan was selected twice (in 2017 and 2019) for the CoSIDA Academic All-District, honored as a Fall Academic All-Ivy League member in 2019, and inducted into the NFF Hampshire Academic Honor Society in 2019. After his senior year in 2019, Coogan was chosen as Columbia’s Jack Armstrong Most Outstanding Lineman Award recipient at the team dinner and was given a Third Team All-Ivy League pick by Phil Steele Magazine. He was a member of the offensive line for the Lions in 2018, which allowed just 19.0 sacks for 126 yards—the second-lowest opponent totals in school history. He made the Dean’s List three times.
Coogan was involved in the community at Columbia as well since he coordinated the school’s annual liftathon and fundraiser for the Jacked 4 Jacklyn Foundation. In May 2020, Coogan received his degree in Economics with a Business Management focus from Columbia College. He had previously played varsity football for three years under head coach Barry Campbell at Kingwood High School. In addition to being selected twice for the First squad All-District, Coogan was also named twice for the Academic All-District, and in his senior year, he captained the squad. As a student, Coogan was a National Merit Scholar. He participated in track and field and, as a senior, set a personal best with a throw of 49-4 ½ in the shot put.
About Alex Coogan
Alex loved football, basketball, pole vaulting, and HAKLAX lacrosse while attending Riverwood Middle School. His high school years were spent focusing on his passion for athletics, teammates, and friends. He played junior varsity lacrosse and four years on the KHS football team, two of which were varsity. In 2010, he was selected for the Academic All-District Team. After varsity football games, Alex and his buddies enjoyed gathering around the fire pit for “Bro-Circle” at the Coogans’ house. Alex takes enormous delight in being a big brother. He enjoyed coaching Parker and his pals on their 7-on-7 football team, taking them all the way to the state title.
He also enjoyed cheering on his younger sister, McKenna, in several dance events. In addition to his love of athletics, Alex was a member of Kingwood’s Best Buddies program, where he formed deep bonds with the other participants.
Alex obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration from The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business. He worked as the Dean of Students Office’s marketing coordinator while he was an Alabama student. He was involved in the Greek system and held the positions of Interfraternity Council President and Treasurer. He belonged to the Men’s Senior Honor Society of JASON, which is made up of the 40 most significant student leaders from each year at Alabama University. He held the positions of Vice President, Chair of Philanthropy, and Secretary for the Pi Kappa Alpha – Gamma Alpha Chapter.
Alex was also a member of the University of Arizona’s Cardinal Key Honor Society, Phi Sigma Theta Honor Society, and Order of Omega-Beta Alpha Chapter Honor Society, where he won the Most Outstanding Sophomore Award. He was also the coordinator for Alabama’s Pike Kappa Alpha “Be the Match” Bone Marrow Donor Program.
