Senior Salute: Ben Byars

Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Ben Byars, a global and international studies major from Lexington, Kentucky. Byars is a member of the men's lacrosse team.

Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: I chose Wooster because I felt it was the best fit for me academically. Additionally, I knew playing on the men's lacrosse team would be a very rewarding experience.

Q: What does being a Fighting Scot student-athlete mean to you?
A: It means winning the next play and to be always attacking and never full.

Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: My favorite memories I have made at Wooster come from the time spent with my best friends.

Q: What is the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: The best part of being a student-athlete at Wooster is my teammates and their infectious energy.

Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I was a member of the Goodwill Industries service program.

Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: Dr. Jeffrey Lantis and Dr. Matthew Krain from the department of Political Science because they have been instrumental in my development as a student and as a writer. 

Q: What other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people and resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: Nate Huston, the head athletic trainer, has impacted my experience as a student-athlete in an extremely positive way. He is the best in the business. 

Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: The objective of my Independent Study is to analyze the influence of government investment in sportswashing on economic and political outcomes. Sportswashing is when countries attempt to improve or cover over their tarnished global reputation through sports. I am using a longitudinal case study approach to address my research question.

Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Salamanca, Spain during fall of my junior year. Prior to my senior year, I worked as an intern at the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana and as a part of the APEX Fellowship program.

Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what advice would you give your first-year self?
A: The obstacle is the way.

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