Ben Shoults will be a Crimson for life.

Shoults, a senior offensive tackle on the Maple Grove Crimson football team, will attend Harvard University this fall and play football for the Harvard Crimson.

“It’s a coincidence, a good coincidence,” Shoults said with a big smile.

Shoults has many reasons to be smiling a lot these days. His Maple Grove football team is riding high at 3-0 and he will be able to continue to play the game he loves at one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the world.

HARVARD

Shoults, a 6-4, 270 tackle, attracted attention from many colleges because of his size, techniques, strength and great GPA.

“I was recruited by South Dakota State University, by lots of Ivy League and Big 10 schools,” he said. “I went to others to visit but when I went to Harvard I just fell in love with it.”

Deep down, Shoults’ heart has always been with Harvard.

“I just have a passion of going to that school,” Shoults said, adding that he took the initiative to email the Harvard football program about his interest of playing football there.

“I reached out to them, they reached out back,” Shoults said. “I went to that campus and really enjoyed it. They gave me an offer that I wanted and I ended up accepting it.”

It is a dream come true for Shoults.

“I have wanted to go to Harvard academically all my life and when the opportunity came from football you have to take it because it’s a great game and I love it so much,” he said.

Harvard is known for its academics but its football program is also quite successful.

“They have a great Div. I program,” Shoults said. “They were the Ivy League champ last year. They have a great tradition. You can’t beat it.”

Shoults manages to achieve both his academic and athletic goals through years of dedication and hard work.

“I just try to get all my work done and work hard at it,” he said. “That’s pretty much all you can do. You have to work hard in everything you do.”

Shoults applies the same work ethics in the classrooms and on the football field.

“You work hard in football it translates into school. You work hard in school it translates into football,” he said. “I am equally proud of both. I take pride in both and to succeed in both makes me feel great.”

Maple Grove coach Matt Lombardi said Shoults epitomizes the goodness of a great student/athlete.

“The best compliment I can give him is that he is the type of guys you wish your daughter dates,” Lombardi said. “Ben is an unbelievable kid. Obviously he is very intelligent but he is a humble, able leader. He is a leader not only for the football team but also for the school. He is Maple Grove through and through. He is an unbelievably good lineman, he is very physical and very smart. He is one of the best leaders I have had the privilege to coach.”

With his collegiate future settled, Shoults can concentrate on leading the Maple Grove team. The Crimson are off to a roaring 3-0 start and last week defeated old nemesis Wayzata. Shoults is playing a key role as he is a team captain and one of two returning veterans on a young offensive line. He embraces his leadership role in showing the ropes to the newcomers.

“Even in the winter when we were lifting we had to introduce them to the program and show them what Maple Grove football is all about,” he said. “I think they have done a great job accepting that role.”

Last season, the Crimson lost in the Prep Bowl semifinal to Roseville. The fall Shoults will do his best to prolong his Maple Grove Crimson career before starting his career as a Harvard Crimson.