Ben Myers: Driving Toward Dreams
9/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
By Hanna Sprague, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Five short years ago, MSU men's soccer player Ben Myers, a native of Charlevoix, set out on a mission to make history in his hometown.
"It's been a crazy ride," said Myers. "Nobody from Charlevoix High School had ever played college soccer. I was the first."
At the age of four, Myers took the grassy soccer field by storm, scoring nine goals in his first-ever 4H league appearance. Immediately, Myers fell in love with the game.
Myers was fortunate enough to be coached by one of his biggest supporters until he was 15 years old.
"It was great to have my dad as a coach," said Myers. "He taught us to learn from our mistakes. As long as you're a good person and you work hard, you're not going to make the same mistake twice."
Flashing forward to his senior year of high school, Myers knew he needed to have a special impact on the game if he wished to keep his dream of playing college soccer alive.
"For me, the recruiting process was really hard," said Myers. "I lived five hours away from any competitive soccer. Going into my senior year, I didn't have any Division I offers."
Myers didn't let this put his goal on hold. Motivation to live out his dream led Myers into a senior year unlike anyone who had come before him at Charlevoix High School.
"On Mondays, I would go to class in Charlevoix and get all of the work from my teachers," said Myers. "That Monday night, I would drive down to Detroit and spend Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays practicing soccer with my club team, Vardar Academy. I'd come home on Fridays then turn around and fly or drive to wherever our tournament was being held that weekend."
With unmatched support from his family and teammates, Myers received a series of phone calls that led him down a path no one ever predicted. With aspirations to experience something new, Myers accepted an offer to play at Clemson.
 | My goal is always to make an impact on the game. If I can go in, start, or whatever it is that I can do to help the team win, that's what I want to do. That's all that matters. |
"The main thing I took away from Clemson was getting out of my bubble, going out, and experiencing new things," said Myers.
After one successful season at Clemson, appearing in 14 matches and scoring a game-winning goal against nationally-ranked rival, South Carolina, Myers made his decision to spend the remaining collegiate years at Michigan State University.
"I'm from Michigan, so coming to Michigan State just felt like coming home," said Myers. "Right when you get on campus you immediately have 27 best friends within the team. That made it easy. Everyone is really welcoming here."
His time at Michigan State has lived up to every expectation he ever dreamed.
"My goal is always to make an impact on the game," said Myers. "If I can go in, start, or whatever it is that I can do to help the team win, that's what I want to do. That's all that matters."
Myers has not only made an impact on the game, but also on his teammates.
"Ben Myers is one of the most genuine guys on our team," said redshirt freshman Ryan Scott. "He's always willing to provide assistance and pushes those around him to become better people."
As his time as a Spartan athlete winds down, Myers is sure that it is his teammates and coaches that he will miss the most.
"It's definitely going to be bittersweet as I move forward with other things in life," said Myers. "The coaches have taught me to truly enjoy what you're doing. They've created a fun atmosphere. Off the field, we can be goofballs and joke around with each other, but once we get on the field and we hear the whistle blow, it's business."
Taking as many as 19 credits per semester, Myers will be graduating in less than four years, as soon as the 2014 season comes to an end.
"When I look back on it all, I worked hard to be where I am right now," said Myers. "In order to be in a good academic position, I'd tell [incoming student-athletes] to work the hardest in your first three years. It'll all pay off in your senior year when you can really enjoy yourself in your final season."
Myers will use his skill set as an economics major and young entrepreneur in the commercial real estate business. He plans to relocate to the Detroit area, buying old buildings and redeveloping them into desirable properties.
"I'd like to make things better for the people of Detroit," said Myers. "It's a pretty hot area right now, and it's going to be in the next five years. Detroit was once a great city, and it's going to come back up. I'm going to be a part of that."
After the team makes their run at a national championship, Myers will have one last item to complete in order to round out his career as a Spartan.
"I've always had this goal to ride a jet ski down the Red Cedar," said Myers. "There's a pretty good chance that once I'm done with soccer, most likely during finals week, you'll see me out there on a jet ski."
