Goshen senior creates lasting legacy on the field and off

Noah Webster’s dictionary defines an athlete as “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.” Nowhere in that definition does it say anything about mentoring younger players, staying out of trouble or making a lasting impact on a particular place. But Carlton Bean is doing all of that anyway.

Bean, a senior at Goshen High School, has been a key contributor in four different varsity sports since the eighth-grade. Over the last five years, the soft-spoken athlete has lettered for the Eagles in football, basketball, baseball and track.

While competing for the Eagles for more than half a decade, Bean said he has learned some things about life and growing up that he wouldn’t have learned without playing sports.

“I have learned lots of things from my coaches, but the big thing they all talk about is character,” said Bean. “I have learned that having good character will get you far in life. That will stick with me for the rest of my life.”

Bean has left a legacy for Goshen athletes to follow for years to come. Each of Bean’s coaches, Bart Snyder for football, Johnny Mitchell in basketball and baseball coach Robby Kinsaul, each said that Bean was a pleasure to have on the team.

“He is a really good character guy,” said Mitchell. “He isn���t one of the guys you have to check up on to make sure he is doing what he is supposed to do. He has great, loving parents who have raised him to be humble and courteous. He means a lot to this school and will be remembered for a long time.”

Bean played running back and wide receiver for the Eagles and reached the playoffs all four seasons of his high school career. When looking back on his fondest moments in purple and gold, Bean pointed to one particular night this past football season at the Eagles’ Nest.

Goshen beat region-foe Calhoun 54-30, and Bean romped into the end zone four different times for touchdowns.

“He is such a special athlete,” said Snyder remembering the game. “He has the ability to break plays open, and that night things worked out for him and the entire team. He can get in to the open field and do some special things.”

Football and basketball season have come to pass, and now Bean finds himself in the midst of his final year of his favorite sport, baseball.

Bean patrols center field for the Eagles on the diamond, as well as serving as the lead-off hitter. He is currently batting over .600, and has four outfield assists on defense. Bean has also used his speed to steal basses seemingly at will this season, and has yet to be caught stealing.

“Carlton does everything well,” said Kinsaul. “He can hit, he can throw and he can really fly on the base path. He isn’t the biggest kid, but he has worked hard to get stronger and faster every year.”

Bean has drawn interest from several local community college baseball teams, and Kinsaul said that he would be a great addition to any college roster. Jefferson Davis Community College, Enterprise State and Lurleen B. Wallace Community College have all invited Bean in for a visit and workout.

“He busts his tail all the time to have the chance to play,” said Kinsaul. “I am going to do all I can make sure he gets the opportunity he has worked hard for.”

Besides being head football coach, Snyder also serves as Goshen’s athletic director, and has had the opportunity to watch Bean grow as an athlete and a person over the last four years.

“His mom and dad are great people, and Carlton has learned from them,” said Snyder. “He is a great kid that will do great things. He has a legacy that will leave a lasting influence, a good influence, on this school.”

Bean said that he wanted to be remembered as a person who tried hard and played hard.

“It is a little bittersweet to know that the season is coming to a close,” Bean said. “I know that if I play hard, the team will play hard. We will be able to make some noise. We will never quit, because Goshen teams don’t do that.”