BEREA, OHIO -- Life isn't easy being a multi-sport student-athlete as well as a student in college. It takes great discipline and time management skills if success is in store for the future. Fortunately for Baldwin Wallace University junior outfielder Ben Stoper these are qualities that he has learned throughout his college experience.

Stoper, who batted .316 in six games on B-W's annual spring trip to Winter Haven, Florida, has his foot sleeping on the gas peddle during his year-long grind.

"I've learned great lessons not only about sports, but about life in general," says Stoper, who also had a run scored, a double and a stolen base as B-W finished 4-4 at the RussMatt Classic that was held in the same complex that the Cleveland Indians utilized before moving to Goodyear, Arizona last spring. "It was quite a challenge at first, but once I got my feet wet it helped me move forward."

In addition to being an outstanding student and playing baseball at B-W, Stoper is the a fullback on the Yellow Jacket football team in the fall. Once his football campaign ends, he can not afford to apply the breaks as there really is no off-season between football and baseball.

"The two sports go hand in hand the ultimate goal is to be the best player you can be in each sport," said Stoper, who carried the ball 14 times for 73 yards with a 5.3-yard per carry average this fall.  "That is what I strive and thrive for everyday in practice."

But with great power comes great responsibility. This season will be an important one, not only for Stoper, but the entire team. This challenge should be within its grasp. B-W is looking to build upon a 19-19 record it compiled last season and contend for the 2010 Ohio Athletic Conference title and a spot in the NCAA Division III Mideast Region Tournament.

"We know how talented we are," says Stoper, who has earned one letter in football and will earn a second this spring on the diamond. "We just need to put the product on the field every game. If we do that, I think we have a real opportunity to make an OAC title run."

Ben is no stranger to challenges. He returned to football in the 2008-09 season after not competing the year before. Not only that, but his position of fullback on the field is one of the most physically enduring of all. But the battle wounds he would have experienced on the field did not discourage him. In fact, they motivated him even more.

"When Ben came back after missing a year, he was hungry to compete and succeed," said Snell. "Other players saw that and it made them hungrier too."

Last year, Ben earned his first varsity letter and became 42-year veteran Head Coach Bob Fisher's starting left fielder. In the 33 games and 28 starts, Stoper batted nearly .300 and drove in 18 runs with a pair of homeruns, and his fielding percentage was one of the best on the team. In addition, he displayed outstanding leadership skills. All of these characteristics led to Stoper earning the 'The Yellow Jacket Award' along with senior teammate Chris Nealon (Avon Lake).

"It was an honor for me," said Stoper. "I think all of my achievements on and off the field helped me win this award. It feels great to know that I was not only a good athlete, but a good teammate in the dugout as well. That meant a lot to me personally."

In the classroom, Stoper is an education student who aspires to become a teacher and coach of potentially both sports once he graduates from the College. He already has his first lesson plan mapped out.

Try your best to get ahead so you don't fall behind is what Stoper plans to instruct his students and potential players.

"I will tell both my students and players to be prepared and organized," said Stoper. "I want to be in a profession and position where I can help young children learn how to play the game."

"Both of my parents are in similar positions in which they live to help people," said Stoper, who played football, basketball and baseball while at Medina High School. My mother is a nurse and my father is an attorney."

"I hope to follow in their footsteps and set the tone on and off the field for younger generations,"said Stoper. "That's a big part of being a leader."

FOR MORE BW Sports Information, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu or Assistant SID Nick Minerd by phone at 440-826-2780 and e-mail at nminerd@bw.edu. Fans can access the latest BW athletics information at www.bw.edu/athletics and we invite you to join us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.