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GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Being a college
athlete is never a perfect road, and there are
always bumps along the way.
From battling for playing time to adjusting
to life away from home, balancing athletics
and academics, or even personal issues,
adversity is part of the gig.
Ben Strinden knows that all too well. The
Fargo, North Dakota native had hoped for
a better start to his college career. Even
while playing for his dream school at the
University of North Dakota.
However, Strinden's biggest piece of
adversity came away from the rink last
summer.
Strinden's father, Tom, was diagnosed with
brain cancer in February of 2024. After a
