EAST ROCHESTER, NY – Remember the name Ben Newman, our latest Scholar Athlete of the Week–who’s had an unorthodox path through varsity football, but still managed to be named the Class C player of the Year–and earlier this week, made a major commitment to further both his athletic career and education.

On Wednesday, one of Section V’s finest inked a deal to play at the next level. East Rochester quarterback Ben Newman committing to Wagner. But just two years ago, a day like this seemed improbable

“He’s our leader in passing touchdowns, he’s second in passing yards in two years,” said head coach Tim Rose.

“I’m very grateful to come back for my junior, and senior year and play with my childhood friends,” Newman said. “So it meant a lot to me for sure.”

Well, only improbable if you don’t know Ben Newman, who grew up in East Rochester and returned to the school as a junior.

“I think he embraced the change that we decided to make as a family and really made the most of the opportunity to be here,” said Christine Newman, Ben’s mom.

In just his first year back as a Bomber, Newman took the starting quarterback job, was named a captain, and was tabbed as the Section V Offensive Player of the Year.

“He’s a competitive kid who’s going to do whatever it takes to win,” Rose said. “I would say he’s a kid that can make any throw right now, and he has confidence that he can make any throw.”

So Ben Newman played just two years at Don Quinn Field–but still managed to set plenty of East Rochester passing records, even being named the NYS Class C Player of the Year, but if you ask him–his most proud moment has nothing to do with an individual stat.

“My favorite memory would definitely be winning a sectional championship as a team,” Newman said. “When it comes to football with me, a lot of these individual words, they don’t really mean a lot in the long run. Being able to call myself a sectional champion with my friends–that sure means a lot to me.”

And that run put Newman in the limelight, earning scholarships to multiple Division I colleges thanks to his stellar play on the gridiron, but also because of a 4.0 GPA.

“He wanted to play high-level football, he wanted to be a business major and he wanted to be in a big city,” said JJ Newman, Ben’s dad. “And that school, Wagner, checks all those boxes. He’s able to play football at a high level. He can potentially play early, and he’s going to have internships amongst some of the highest corporations in the city.”

But don’t let Newman’s humility fool ya.

“I know he’s going in with the mindset that he’s going to take a job,” Rose said.

Just like he did with his hometown team two falls ago.

“I want to get in there, fight for a starting job, and win a lot of football games for sure,” Newman said.