Ben Coren, Ed.D., was a 165-pound guard who played his position so well against many bigger opponents that he was honored many times during his collegiate football career by being named to All American and All Star teams.

Legendary West Chester University coach Glen Killinger called Coren “one of the best guards I have ever coached.. and the smartest lineman.” Coren’s football career began at West Philadelphia High School in the early ’40s.

He played on the Speedboys’ City High School Championship Football Team in 1942 and was named an All-Public guard. In 1944, he attended the University of Nevada and made All-Pacific Coast center.

Coren returned east to finish his collegiate football career at West Chester University where he earned his B.S. Degree in 1948 and his Master’s in 1961. He was the first person to receive a Master’s from West Chester University. While at West Chester, he played 60 minutes of every game and never missed a game.

His performance earned him honors in 1947 as Little All-American guard, Honorable mention All-American guard, All-East Coast and All-State. He played in the Burley Bowl in 1947 in Johnson City, TN, and the Cigar Bowl in Tampa, FL, in 1948.

He was inducted into the West Chester University Football Hall of Fame, the Cheyney University Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Delaware County Chapter, and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from West Chester University. Coren’s first coaching job was at Dickinson College.

He also coached at West Chester High School and Sun Valley High School, where he received Coach of the Year honors in 1960. He spent 18 years at Cheyney University as a professor of therapeutic recreation and as an offensive coordinator for the football team. He retired in 1986.

Coren is the founder of Indian Springs Day Camp. Ben Coren — sports star, coach and teacher. A man who used sports to mold the lives of future generations.