Dayton Christian School Athletic Director Ben Shroyer will be awarded the Southwest Ohio Athletic Directors Association Horizon Award in a ceremony of June 5. The award is presented to an active athletic administrator who has demonstrated within his or her first five years signs of professionalism and involvement which has made a difference in the school or conference.
“It is an honor to receive this award as voted on by the Southwest District Athletic Directors and Association Board. I have enjoyed building positive relationships with many of the Athletic Directors in our area and working daily with many of them,” Shroyer said.
Shroyer’s selection for this honor is not surprising. His accomplishments in the DC Athletic Department are as numerous as they are far-reaching.
When Shroyer began his tenure at DC in July of 2017, there was no Warrior Center, athletic website, or Athletic Hall of Fame. However, soon after his arrival, he began checking off the boxes on his To Do list.
The Dayton Christian Athletics website was rolled out in 2018 under Shroyer’s direction. Now Warrior fans get engaging and accurate daily updates on Warrior athletics. Although coaches turn in reports about athletic contests, Shroyer writes most of the copy for the site as well as the department’s Facebook and Twitter social media accounts.
Shroyer was part of the facilities team that developed the plans for the Warrior Center, the 20,000-square-foot new gymnasium that opened on the Miamisburg campus in 2019. He secured corporate sponsorships to support the purchase of the Score Vision boards and sought out private donations to purchase new gym equipment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic when spectators to games or meets were limited or not allowed at all, Shroyer worked with the media broadcasting class to provide livestreamed events through DCTV for Warrior fans. He also launched online ticketing procedures at the school.
Shroyer has worked to expand the department’s offerings. The varsity bowling team made its debut at DC this winter and varsity wrestling was re-launched under his leadership.
He spearheaded the effort to host home athletic contests such as the DC Golf Invitational, DC Swim Invitational, the boys basketball tip-off tournament, and a wrestling pool tournament.
Shroyer saw the need to honor athletes from Dayton Christian’s 58-year history and so the Dayton Christian Athletic Hall of Fame was born. He developed the selection process and criteria and coordinated the inaugural induction ceremony in 2019.
With unflagging determination and a relentless work ethic, Shroyer has made the athletic department operate like a well-oiled machine.
In his usual style, Shroyer is humble and upbeat about receiving the award.
“I am most thankful for my Savior and the grace and mercy He daily gives me to glorify Him as an AD,” Shroyer said. “The position can be demanding, but the rewards are numerous when I daily get to see student-athletes developing mentally, spiritually, physically, and socially. It has been a blessing to serve in this role the last four years at Dayton Christian, as we partner with parents, administration, alumni, donors, and DC Warrior fans through transformational interscholastic athletics! Go Warriors!”
