Personal Statement

My name is Benjamin Beatty, but please call me Ben. I am a senior in the Class of 2016 at Courtland High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

I had an extremely rewarding and wonderful career as a football player.  Fortunately, I was also a member of the track team as well and I have made my college decision to attend Duke University and compete as a thrower on the track and field team under coach BJ Linnenbrink.   Duke has also offered me the chance as a preferred walk-on for the football team, and I'll consider that in the coming weeks.

In high school, I was a starter for both offense and defense on our varsity football team—right defensive end and left offensive guard.  On December 18, 2015 I was named 2nd Team All-State Guard; on December 8, 2015 I was named All-Region Guard in Virginia 4A-East and on November 24, 2015 I was named 1st Team All-Conference Guard and 2nd Team All-Conference Defensive End. I am 6’-2 1/2” tall and 245 pounds, and intend to healthfully pack on another twenty pounds during the off season.  In 2015 combines and camps, I was clocked at 4.68 seconds in the forty-yard dash, did the shuttle run in 4.12 seconds, have a standing broad jump of 9’-6”, threw the power ball 33.5 feet, and have a vertical leap of 33.9 inches.  I performed 21 bench presses of 185 pounds, which was tied for the highest mark at the VTO Combine.  At the April 19, 2015 Nike Combine, I achieved a SPARQ score of 83.31, and was invited to participate in the Opening Regional Camp later in the afternoon with 250 other elite prospects.  During both of my JV years with the Courtland Cougars we were District Champions. At the end of my sophomore year I was pulled up to the varsity team, which also took the District Championship,  we were champs once again last year and were just crowned champs this year as well.  Courtland made it to the final four teams in the 4A Conference this year and came one game short of making it to the State Championship.

In 2015 our varsity team has been extremely strong. In our 4-3 defense I stay low and fill the gap to allow the blitzing linebackers to do their jobs. Defensively, we are a working machine.  During the regular season we only allowed 103 points over a ten game season.  I have shifted all along the defensive line to where the need is greatest.  Offensively, we have a heavy running scheme. We have incredible running backs and with my speed I am great at getting to the block so that they can run the ball. We have a very effective O-line. In addition to my passion and love of football, my ability to balance academics, home life, and friends provides me the satisfaction of being a multi-sport student athlete.  

During the Spring/Summer seasons I compete on a USA Rugby Level 3 state-based club in Virginia, and the Courtland varsity track and field team.  I have made the USA Rugby Regional All-Star Team (RAST) for the past two years; both years resulted in our team taking home the trophy as Regional All-Star Champions. I have been named to the USA Rugby High School All-American squad and attended the skills camp December 26-31, 2014 in Casa Mesa, AZ. I emerged from the camp one of the top 3 players at my position in the nation.

In June of 2015, I placed 1st in the Virginia 4A State Track and Field Championships for shot put, and 5th in discus.  My personal best shot put throw of 59’-7” was the second best throw in Virginia that season, and I am the 2015 District and Regional shot put Champion.  In fact, I came in first in every shot put match I entered in 2015, and finished the season at Nationals in North Carolina.  I am involved in highly competitive sports during every season—it is an important part of my daily life. I believe my success and achievements as a multi-sport athlete help me bring an added edge to each of the sports I participate in as well as keep me conditioned for the upcoming season along with my work-out regimen at the local YMCA.

The success I have had on the football, rugby and track field is coupled with my success in the classroom.  My cumulative GPA is 4.173 out of 4.5, and am ranked 43 out of 300 in my class. The three AP classes I am taking this year are US government, literature/composition and statistics. I'm also taking advanced physics.  I excel in science and math and I really enjoy learning about history. My goal for high school is to achieve an Advanced Diploma. I have a great appreciation of and commitment to being a student-athlete. My goals include both high level academics and sports. I am not 100% certain of my absolute career choice yet, but I have a serious interest in kinesiology with my eye on becoming a physical therapist. My academic transcript is evidence of my dedication to my future. I have been playing organized football since the seventh grade and it is my absolute passion to play at the college level.

Football is the ultimate team sport—it requires dedication, communication, and responsibility. While watching a game on TV, a commercial came on that really sums up why I want to play at the next level. A man in doctor scrubs looked at the camera and said that the ability to stay focused and be disciplined enough to be a doctor was formed when he played football as a young man. I want to use the tools I'm gaining as a football player to be the best man I can possibly be in my career choice. I am a loyal, dedicated and success driven student-athlete. I would very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss further my future with a high level program.

My contact information is:

Cell: (540) 841-0960

Home: (540) 710-0628

E-mail:bb121897@aol.com

Twitter: @HbUeLnK