BUZZARDS BAY, Mass – Our next award is the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Board of Trustees Award. The Board of Trustees Award, established in 1999, similar to the Foundation Award, is presented to a senior student-athlete who exemplifies the true spirit and philosophy of Division III athletics. 

The winner of this year's Board of Trustees award is men's soccer and baseball player, Ben Paine!

A Marine Engineering major, Paine played in and started 49 games for Buccaneer men's soccer as an integral part of the Buc defense. Offensively, Ben recorded an assist in 2019. Though there are not many quantifiable defensive numbers in soccer, Ben was known the conference over for being one of the best defenders in his four years on Taylor's Point. He was a three-year member of the MASCAC All-Conference 1^st team.

On the baseball diamond, the Dartmouth, Mass native played in 69 games for BucBall playing on the infield and in the outfield. At the plate, Ben recorded 49 hits in 202 at-bats, including 6 doubles, a triple and a home run. He drove in 16 runs, scored 23 times, walked 16 times and stole seven bases in his career. He finished his career in a Buccaneer uniform with a .243 batting average and .308 on-base percentage. In 2020 and 2021 combined, Ben went 19-for-46 (.413) at the plate, with 11 runs scored, three doubles and a .440 on-base percentage. In the field, Paine committed just five errors in 222 total fielding chances, posting an outstanding .977 fielding percentage.

Academically, Paine was named to the MASCAC All-Academic Team all eight semesters while at the academy, four representing the men's soccer team and four representing the baseball team.

"Ben was a leader on and off the pitch," said head men's soccer coach Greg Perry. "He was consistently one of the best defenders in the MASCAC and during his career he was known by the coaches and players around the conference as such. Ben was an asset to our program and the Academy. We know he will continue to do great things as he moves on to his next journey," Perry added.

"As a baseball player he is invaluable. Ben showed up every day ready to go and gave 110% to the team and his teammates. He was a leader for not only the young guys but the older guys as well," said head baseball coach and Director of Athletics, Mike Kelley. "He is a consistent ball player with a good bat, a great glove and a great baseball IQ. We are proud of all that he has accomplished at the Academy and the legacy he leaves behind."

Congratulations to this year's Massachusetts Maritime Academy Board of Trustees Award Winner, Ben Paine!