BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — Ron Cooper completed his first spring as LIU football's head coach bullish about the program's future.

Cooper, hired Jan. 3 after previously serving as a senior analyst at Alabama, capped a 14-practice semester with his squad with their spring game on Saturday as alumni, parents and other fans crowded into the stadium to watch.

Cooper's goals this spring included installing his staff's offense, defense and special teams and getting the student-athletes to understand the base formations, calls and even things like how the team warms up and dresses — "just the overall culture of how you're supposed to act and what's supposed to take place," Cooper said.

The Sharks officially begin fall practice the first week of August in preparation for the Sept. 3 opener at Toledo. The home opener arrives one week later against Villanova.

"There's definitely a 'want-to.' The players' attitudes have been unbelievable," Cooper said. "They're always on time. They do what we ask. We've got to provide them with the proper things to make them Division I players. That's what President Kimberly Cline brought me here to do. We've still got some work to be done. But it's been a good evaluation so far. The guys have bought in."

Cooper estimated that roughly 50 percent of the system was installed during the spring.

"The guys have to get a lot stronger with their bodies over the summer," Cooper added. "There's got to be some guys getting in better shape. We've got to get bigger. We've got to get stronger and faster. All that takes place with the summer strength and conditioning program."

Cooper was particularly enthused by the reception from the fan base during Saturday's spring game.

A sign on the white board in his office had the number "276" written on it. That's the number of contacts the staff has had so far with families and other followers via email as they grow interest in the program.

At a reception after the spring game, the staff handed out awards for spring performances to a number of student-athletes who stood out.

The "Most Improved" distinction went to Noah Anderson, Kevin Melore, Elias Batten and Brian Walker on offense and Javal Staton, Carson Binder, Brendan Didier and Qualil Lumpkins on defense.

The "Lunch Pail" awards for being hard-nosed went to Yodhe Desta, Ryan Charleston, Liam Mahoney and Quincy McDuffie on offense and Jayson Emery, James Regateiro, Rafael Fasolino and Tariq Snead on defense.

The "Weight Room" awards went to Kevin Wilson on offense and Dom Barbuto on defense.

The "Line" awards went to Tedi Kushi on offense and Rudy Ngougni on defense.

Owen Glascoe, Davon Wells and Tosin Oyekanmi were offensive MVPs and Jaden Dawkins, Rudy Silvera and Matt Nieves were defensive MVPs.

The "Leadership" awards went to Glascoe, Oyekanmi, Ngougni and Larry Elder.