Darren Bates | Columbus

As a high-school student at Ohio’s Columbus Academy, Darren Bates became the senior captain for his baseball and football teams. After making second team all-league his sophomore and junior years, he earned a place on second team all-district and made first team all-league by his senior year. During his time at Columbus Academy, Darren Bates also spent two summers abroad playing for the Old World Baseball European Tour in 2016 and 2017.

In the fall of 2017, he began his undergraduate studies at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where he continues his sports career on the school's baseball team. He plans to graduate in June of 2021.

Darren Bates has also involved himself in numerous community-service organizations. His experience ranges from serving as a mentor with the Senior-Kindergarten Buddy Program to building homes for Habitat for Humanity. He also coached children with the Second and 7 Football Camp, leading them in games and drills and drawing on his sports experience to mentor them in key areas related to personal growth and teamwork.