Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a 10-part series recapping the Top Ten sports moments of the 2009-2010 year at Northwest Christian University as compiled by the Beacon Athletic Department. New moments will be revealed throughout the next few weeks. See the bottom of the page for links to all of the top-ten moments.
He wasn't the first Division I transfer in NCU history, but he might have had the biggest impact. After signing to finish out his collegiate basketball career with the Beacons on February 24th, 2009, Ben Voogd came and led the Beacons to a fifth-place finish in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, and in the process became NCU's first ever NAIA All-American.
Ben Voogd's basketball history has literally taken him all over the map. The Florence, Oregon native played high school basketball for the Siuslaw Vikings and earned a scholarship to play at Louisiana State University. Voogd spent two seasons with LSU, playing with current NBA star Glen Davis. He made an appearance in the NCAA Final Four as a freshman. After his time with the Tigers, Voogd transfered back home to the University of Oregon, where he used a red shirt year.
Then, last spring he decided that he wanted to finish out his playing career at NCU and, by all accounts, made a great decision. Voogd helped guide the Beacons to their best-ever finish in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, and was selected as the CCC Newcomer of the Year. Voogd was a first-team All-CCC selection and went on to earn NAIA All-American Honorable Mention.
Voogd's impact on the Beacons was immediate, scoring 29 points with eight rebounds in just the second game of the year as NCU put up 102 points in a loss to Walla Walla University. By the end of the season, Voogd broke single-game records for field-goal attempts, free-throws, free-throw attempts, and steals. He scored a season-high 32 points in a win over Corban to open up CCC play. Perhaps his greatest moment came on January 29th when he hit a game-winning three-pointer to help NCU upset #3 Oregon Tech.
For the season, Voogd averaged 17.2 points per game and put up 534 total points, second most in NCU history. He set new single-season record for free-throws (made and attempted), assists and steals.
Voogd is aiming to play professionally, either in the states or overseas, and has already spent some time this summer playing on a tour in China.
The Ben Voogd Timeline
February 24, 2009 - Signs with NCU
October 20, 2009 - Named pre-season All-Conference selection
October 28, 2009 - Featured on KMTR sports
November 16, 2009 - Named CCC Player of the Week
December 5, 2009 - Scored 32 points vs. Corban
January 29, 2010 - Hits game-winning three-pointer to beat #3 Oregon Tech
February 1, 2010 - Named CCC Player of the Week
March 1, 2010 - Named First-Team All-CCC and Conference Newcomer of the Year
Match 17, 2010 - Earns NAIA All-American Honorable Mention
#1 - Coming Soon
#2 - Coming Soon
#3 - Coming Soon
#4 - Coming Soon
#5 - Coming Soon
#6 - Ben Voogd Hits the Scene
#7 - Brooke Davis Breaks Pair of NAIA Records
#8 - Expansion Year Athletes Graduate from NCU
#9 - 1983 Men's Basketball Team Inducted into Hall of Fame
#10 - Beacons Hire Bentley, Casebeer to Lead Soccer Programs