BEN SLOAN OF AUSTIN COLLEGE, a senior forward on the men's soccer team from Dallas, Texas, has been selected the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Character and Community Male Student Athlete of the Week for the week beginning December 10.
The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.
Earlier this fall, Austin College hosted 1960 Olympic gold medalist Earl Young on campus to talk about his battle with cancer, and the importance of bone marrow donation. The talk was held in conjunction with a three-day bone marrow donor registration drive by the organization DKMS, a nonprofit with a goal of eliminating blood cancer.
At the heart of getting DKMS involved with Austin College was the ‘Roo men’s soccer team, thanks to the efforts of senior Ben Sloan. Sloan, a Dallas native, had a personal reason for getting involved with the organization, and knows all too well the importance of bone marrow donation.
A few years ago, Sloan lost his father to blood cancer. However, thanks to a bone marrow donation, his father was able to extend his life a few months longer than the original prognosis. Those extra few months gave Sloan, who had been at school at the time and unable to get home much, more time with his father.
After that, Sloan’s sister began getting involved with bone marrow drives through her high school, and he quickly followed suit. Since then he’s been active in working toward finding willing donors, and during the drive in September, 150 students – more than 10% of the student body at Austin College – signed up to be registered.
In addition to his work with DKMS, Sloan is also a part of ACT, the Austin College Tutoring program, where members are matched with students in the Sherman area to help them with their studies. Through his Zeta Chi Beta fraternity, he’s also been involved in several service projects, including an annual philanthropic event called Love’s Fool, a talent show and auction that raises money for Room for Hope.
A four-year starter for the Austin College men’s soccer team, Sloan is also an excellent student and has been a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll every year of his career.