YOUNGSTOWN — Alan Cope’s biggest “no” became a huge “yes” for both Youngstown State University and Youngstown State Athletics.

More than 20 years ago, Cope, a native of Salem, was meeting with his financial planner and he had a request. When the time comes, he wanted to donate a substantial amount of money to Youngstown State, his alma mater. That was his plan. His financial advisor had other thoughts.

“She told me, no. That’s a bad idea. I was shocked, but she said ‘give it now, and enjoy it’,” he said. “It was the best thing that could have happened for everyone. So I started sending some money to YSU. Then the Dean of the Williamson College of Business, Betty Jo Licata, wanted some funding so I gave that to her.”

Cope has had a long-standing relationship with YSU. He graduated from the school in 1963. Cope had just returned from the military service and enrolled in night school at then Youngstown College.

He put his business degree to use almost immediately, buying a John Deere dealership in Alliance from the John Denny family in 1966. Cope Farm Equipment, Inc., has grown, now owning dealerships in Austinburg, Alliance and Kinsman. He owned the business for 54 years proving to be quite successful.

Recently, he donated a state-of-the-art John Deere Gator Utility Vehicle to the football program and another electric one for use by the University that resides in the WATTS. YSU President Jim Tressel can be seen throughout campus driving around on his special YSU-themed machine, which was purchased from Cope.

He was later appointed to the Board of Directors at the YSU Foundation to which he has given funds to regularly. He became and Advisor to the Williamson College of Business Administration and is on the Notable Giving Society with the Foundation.

He contributed a $250,000 gift for the President James P. Tressel Endowed Chair in Leadership. Nancy Wagner, whose leadership of Youngstown State University’s Centofanti School of Nursing has resulted in increased enrollment, expanded community outreach, additional programming and enhanced fundraising, is the first-ever recipient of the honor.

“What a ride it’s been!” Cope said. “I think it’s kind of neat that she said no, and look what happened. None of this would have ever happened if she hadn’t have said no. I would have just put it in the will. Certainly, I feel blessed to be involved with Youngstown State and Youngstown State Athletics.”