Beban named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year finalist

Senior defender Julian Beban, a member of the Holy Cross men’s soccer team, has been named one of just 10 finalists for the 2026 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year. The award is presented by the EDU Ledger.

Inspired by Ashe’s commitment to education and excellence on the tennis court, higher education institutions across the country annually nominate outstanding minority sports scholars for this award every year. In addition to athletic ability, nominees must exhibit academic excellence and community activism. To be eligible, students have to compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher, be at least a sophomore academically and be active on their campuses or in their communities.

“Being named a finalist is a great achievement because it highlights all that student-athletes have to offer around their campuses – not solely on the field, but also in the classroom and in their community,” Beban said. “My experience at Holy Cross has been defined by much more than my career on the soccer field, and I’m proud to have the opportunity for this kind of recognition. This recognition also doesn’t exist in a vacuum and wouldn’t exist without my teammates, namely Jeb Snead, who introduced me to the Uplifting Athletes organization that allowed our team to have a meaningful impact in our community.”

Beban was a key part of the Holy Cross back line for the last four years, serving as a team captain in 2025. During his senior season, he played in all 18 games with 15 starts and ranked fifth on the team with 1,252 minutes played. Beban was part of a defense that posted three shutouts while holding the opposition to just 1.28 goals per game. Over the course of his collegiate career, he played in 64 career games for the Crusaders with 53 starts, totaling 4,607 minutes of action and tallying five points on one goal and three assists. As a junior, he earned a spot on the All-Patriot League third team.

In the classroom, Beban owns a 3.73 cumulative grade point average with a major in mathematics. He was previously named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar during his sophomore and junior seasons, while earning Academic All-Patriot League honors as a senior. Beban was also chosen Academic All-District twice and was a four-time selection to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.

In addition to his athletic and academic accomplishments, Beban represented Holy Cross at the 2025 Uplifting Athletes Leadership Development Conference, and has been a volunteer with Life for Life, Team Impact, the Office of Sustainability Community Clean-Up and the Civic Engagement Day Campus Clean-Up. For his work in the community, he was named to the 2025 Allstate NACDA Good Works Team.

“Julian’s recognition as a finalist for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year award reflects the standards he maintains,” head coach Matt Brown said. “As a Mathematics major, he has demonstrated the discipline necessary to manage a rigorous academic load alongside his athletic commitments. These qualities will serve him well in his future professional endeavors.”

2026 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Men’s Sports Scholar of the Year Finalists
Rodrigo Alves, North Carolina Central, Tennis
Julian Beban, Holy Cross, Soccer
Nick Bostic, Wooster, Football
Omari Bryson, Voorhees, Basketball
Chukwuebuka Ejiofor, St. John’s, Basketball
Armond Hopkins, Voorhees, Track& Field / Cross Country
Quintin Lowe, Purdue, Track& Field / Cross Country
Henry Ronnberg, St. Thomas Aquinas, Tennis
Isaiah Shirley, North Carolina State, Football
Hiroshi Tai, Georgia Tech, Golf

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