The rare name Cozell was a one-hit wonder in the U.S. baby name data in 1983:
- 1985: unlisted
- 1984: unlisted
- 1983: 6 baby boys named Cozell [debut]
- 1982: unlisted
- 1981: unlisted
Where did it come from?
College basketball player Cozell (pronounced coh-ZEHL) McQueen.
He was a sophomore playing for N.C. State the year the team unexpectedly won the 1983 NCAA Tournament.
The N.C. State Wolfpack beat #1 seeded Virginia on its way to the Final Four, then Georgia in the semifinals, and finally Houston — a team that included future superstars Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler — in the championship game.
They wouldn’t have had the chance to win, though, had Cozell McQueen not been a crucial part of the first-round, double-overtime win against Pepperdine.
Cozell was also the player who, following the final win, stood atop one of the rims and held up a “Pack Power” sign in celebration.
What are your thoughts on the name Cozell?
Sources:
- Beard, Aaron. “N.C. State’s ’83 title run hard to top.” Day [New London, CT] 21 Mar. 2020.
- Cozell McQueen – Wikipedia
