Amy Marotta Lester ’04 and Dr. Ben Bring ’03 were inducted into Columbus Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame on October 5, 2024, during Alumni Weekend activities that included them being recognized at halftime of a varsity football win over Bexley.
Amy earned All-American honors in both field hockey and lacrosse at Academy before playing field hockey on a full scholarship at the University of Virginia. She returned to CA as a middle school assistant coach in field hockey for seven season and lacrosse for six seasons in addition to spending three school years as a lower school associate teacher.
“We were all so fortunate to have had her as a player, student and coach,” stated her former field hockey and lacrosse head coach Anne Horton in her introduction of Amy. “She’s been a pivotal part of this community… No matter what hat she was wearing, I knew we could always count on her to make a difference.”
In her acceptance speech, Amy thanked her family, coaches, teammates, friends and teachers for all of their support over the years.
“What I look forward to most about this day is the opportunity to publicly and loudly over this microphone thank those near and dear to my heart,” Amy said. “All my memories of sports at Academy envelop these people and what we accomplished together.”
Ben was an all-league and all-district performer in soccer, basketball and track & field at Academy. He helped win two district titles in soccer, was the Team MVP in basketball and earned All-Ohio honors in the 4x800 relay during his senior track season. He went on to play football at Denison University and currently serves as team doctor for our athletic teams.
“Ben has an unwavering confidence about him,” said Dean Bring ’01 while introducing his younger brother during the induction ceremony. “He is as confident a person that you’ll ever meet, in a good way, and he brings that entire confidence to everything he does… And with that comes an incredible commitment to excellence. Lastly, he does things the right way with integrity.”
In his acceptance speech, Ben thanked and shared stories about the legendary coaches and teachers he had at Academy. He also acknowledged retired athletic trainer Kim Stercula and the impact of having his wife Miranda (Leickly) Bring ’03 – a lower school teacher since 2008 – and their children Blaine and Aly currently at the school.
“Being able to be part of the Academy has been truly an honor and a blessing, and it’s really made me the person that I am today,” Ben stated. “And I’m really fortunate that my kids get to live the Academy experience here, too… Being as deeply woven into the community here as we have been has really just been such a blessing. There’s nothing more valuable than when you get to see your kids grow up and live that life, too, so I’m forever grateful for those experiences.”
Amy and Ben were the 49th and 50th inductees, respectively, into Columbus Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame, which recognizes and honors former student-athletes, coaches and other individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the athletic program at Columbus Academy, and who have brought honor to the school through their athletic achievements.