Throughout the spring semester, we are honoring our senior student-athletes with a "Senior Salute" series. Today's featured senior is Ben Hines, a mathematics major from Farmington, Minnesota. Hines is a member of the baseball team.
Q: Why did you choose to attend The College of Wooster?
A: Wooster allowed me the ability to play for a nationally ranked baseball team while attending a top-tier academic institution. This was something I was really wanting out of a college. Several schools can offer one of those things, but Wooster is one of the few that can offer both.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a Fighting Scot student-athlete?
A: It means being a part of a historic athletic department that not only yields great athletes, but also nationally recognized scholars and future professionals.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: Being able to play on a team that made the NCAA Div. III Super Regionals my first year. Each spring trip to Florida has been memorable as well and something to always look forward to. Academically, making the North Coast Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll each time I have been eligible along with several dean's lists are among my favorite memories.
Q: What's the best part about being a student-athlete at The College of Wooster?
A: The best part is being able to compete on a baseball team that is consistently at the top of the conference, and often nationally ranked, while being able to work and interact with professors and peers to accomplish superb academic and research work.
Q: What else were you involved with on campus besides your sport?
A: I have worked in the athletic training room and have also been a peer tutor for multiple STEM courses.
Q: Which College of Wooster faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
A: All of my baseball coaches – Barry Craddock, Tim Pettorini, and Matthew Johnson – have made the greatest impact on my time at Wooster. They truly embody what it means to be successful coaches at the Div. III level. They pushed me immensely in my athletics career and motivated me to maintain high-level academic work.
Q: Which other people or resources impacted your Wooster experience in a positive way and how did these people/resources set you up to be successful at Wooster?
A: Dr. (Drew) Pasteur in the mathematics department has been very helpful throughout my academic career at Wooster. He was very helpful in helping me change majors. Additionally, he is my advisor for my Independent Study project.
Q: Tell us a bit about your Independent Study project?
A: I am using multiple statistical techniques to predict the likelihood of MLB managers to be fired at the conclusion of a season.
Q: Tell us a bit about something cool you did as a student at The College of Wooster?
A: I have been fortunate enough to compete in the NCAC Tournament each season that it has been held, along with a deep run in the NCAA Div. III Championships as a first-year. These have been my favorite memories at Wooster, and I will never forget the teammates and coaches I have been able to experience these memories with.
Q: Reflecting back on your time at Wooster, what is one piece of advice you would give your first-year (freshman) self?
A: I would tell myself that the academic route you intend to take your first year does not lock you in for a career in that specific field. It truly is never too late to decide what you want to do. Athletically, I would tell myself to not put too much pressure on myself. The best memories of my athletic career are so special because of the teammates I get to share them with rather than my individual accomplishments.
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