PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. — Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High School officially unveiled the name of its new arena and welcomed the public inside for the first time Thursday morning. The state-of-the-art future home of the Comets will now be known as the Raymond A. Cooper Arena, honoring the longtime head basketball coach who has led the team to four state championships.
The Raymond A. Cooper Arena is more than a gymnasium. The approximately 2,000-seat facility also includes:
Seven classrooms
A drill hall/storm shelter
A weight room
Four dressing rooms
A training room
Five offices
A team room
A hospitality suite
Concessions and more
The multi-purpose space will serve not only as the home court for the Comets but also as a hub for athletic training and the school’s JROTC program.
Honoring a Legacy
Coach Cooper began his tenure at Mills in 2012, taking the team to the state championship game in his first season. Since then, he has guided the Comets to titles in 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2025. Over 13 seasons, his teams have compiled a 144-25 record, averaging 11-2 per season with an 85% winning percentage.
Principal Damian Patterson called the unveiling a milestone for the school.
“This is the culmination of hard work by a lot of people,” Patterson said. “More than championships, Coach Cooper has fostered an opportunity to grow young men, and that’s why this honor is so fitting.”
Coach Cooper, visibly moved, said the recognition was beyond anything he imagined.
“This is something I never envisioned in a million years,” he said. “The greatest part is seeing the faces of all the people I’ve shared this journey with. Without their support, the success wouldn’t have happened.”
Students also expressed excitement about the new facility. Ninth-grader Kaiden Ferguson, who plays on the freshman basketball team, said the arena represents years of effort.
“This whole arena is kind of like we work for — all the state championships on the team,” Ferguson said. “Coach Cooper deserves it because you know he put the work in here for a lot of players, a lot of kids, even outside of basketball.”
A District Commitment
PCSSD Executive Director of Operations Curtis Johnson emphasized the district’s broader mission.
“We are committed as a team to make sure that our kids, regardless of what walk of life they come from, have at least the opportunity to do great things and to move forward to become great citizens of our state and our nation.”
During the unveiling, dozens of alumni, students, staff and community members toured the arena for the first time. Former players who helped secure Mills’ championships joined current students on the court, even taking a few shots together to mark the occasion.
With the Raymond A. Cooper Arena, constructed with the help of WDD Architects and Kinco Constructors, Comet Nation has entered a new galaxy — one that honors the past while looking boldly toward the future.