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Benjamin "Ben" F. Hart, II (August 19, 1945 - August 27, 2004)was a high school and college football All-American and an NFL player.

High School Ben's career as an athlete began in OKC at Frederick Douglass High School, where from 1959 to 1963, he was a four-year varsity football starter, a three-year basketball starter. He also garnered state wide awards as Back of the Year and runner-up basketball Player of the Year; and All-State Football and All-State basketball selections. He was selected a Parade High School Football All-American his senior year. His senior year, Ben was also a member of the state championship winning Trojan Track team in 1963. (http://www.ossaa.com/History.aspx)

During his days as student athlete Ben also found time to participate in the Civil Rights Movements that were taking place at the time. He walked or sat-in with Clara Luper on different occasions.

College

Following his college and professional football careers, Ben coached several semi-pro football teams including The Oklahoma City Wranglers, The Oklahoma City Warriors, The Oklahoma City Stampede, and The Oklahoma City Drillers. In Southwest Kansas he founded the Tri-City Marshals of the NAFL and was the owner and coach.

Ben received his bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Oklahoma, his master's degree in counseling and special education 1971 for Montclair State College and in 1975 he became the first African American athlete to complete a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma.

During his 35 years as an educator and coach, he was a special education teacher, administrator or coach in schools in Okalhomm, Kansas and New Jersey, and touched the lives of thousands of student-athletes in states from New York to California. He began an organization in 1984, which he later incorporated as a non-profit organization the United States Federation of Amateur Athletics Inc., which provided athletic and educational services. Ben also hosted a weekly radio broadcast "For Children's Sake". His family was the most important part of his life.

Ben Hart was born August 19, 1945, in Oklahoma City to Benjamin Franklin, Sr. and Laura Berl Green Hart. Ben was a husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle. His family was the most important part of his life. On January 9, 1969, he married Pamela Lea West in Levittown, PA. He is survived by his wife, Pam, his four sons, Donald Ray of Los Angeles, CA, Raymond Orlando of Lawton, OK, Benjamin F. III and John Westley of Oklahoma City. He is also survived by his five daughters, Lisa Renee, of Dallas, TX, Debra Renae, Ebony Michelle, and Marcella Lea, of Oklahoma City, and Alicia Gaye of Columbia, SC; his sister Bennie Loretta Leslie and her four children, Kenneth Wayne Blair, April Zawanna Blair, David Blair, and Tabitha Blair all of Oklahoma City, 14 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. His love for them all was the ever present motivation for all of his many accomplishments throughout his life. His inspiration came from his mother, his teachers, such as Mrs. Thelma R. Parks and Mrs. Clara Luper, and his coaches, Moses Miller, Walter Mason, Jake Diggs, Lawrence Cudjoe, and Glen Gibson. From the influence of these and others like them, Ben set his goal in life to help other young people succeed in the classroom and on the field or on the court.

His career as an educator and coach was made possible through his extraordinary athleticism and his even more extraordinary gift of the knowledge and understanding of the game, whatever game he was playing or coaching at the time. His understanding of his players and their strengths and weaknesses and how to bring out the very best in all of them. Ben's career as an athlete began in Oklahoma City. His legend as the greatest high school athlete in Oklahoma took root at Fredrick Douglass High School. From 1959-1963, at his beloved DHS, he was a four year varsity football starter and a three year basketball varsity starter; a three time All City Football selection and a two time All-City basketball selection; Back of the Year and runner-up basketball Player of the Year; and All-State Football and AlI-State Basketball selection. He was selected a Scholastic High School Football All American his senior year and received hundreds of college scholarship offers. He chose the University of Oklahoma, in part because staying close to home would allow his mother to attend his games. At OU from 1963-1967, in addition to playing varsity Basketball, Ben was a varsity starter In the Sooner backfield for three years. Football Sophomore of the Year, Most Valuable Offensive Football team member, All Big 8 Conference Flanker, and Football Coaches All-American. In the 1967 NFL draft, Ben was the New Orleans Saints' first pick for their inaugural season. From 1970 until 2004, Ben was a player and/or coach with several semi-pro football teams: the Oklahoma City Wranglers, the Oklahoma City Warriors, the Oklahoma Stampede, the Oklahoma City Drillers, in southwest Kansas, he founded the Tri-City Marshals of the NAFL and was the owner and head coach.

During thirty-five years as an educator and coach, Ben was a special education teacher, administrator, and/or coach in schools in Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Jersey. Ben touched the lives of thousands of student-athletes in states from New York to California. He began an organization in 1984, later incorporated as a non-profit organization, the United States Federation of Amateur Athletics, Inc., which provided both athletic and educational services. He presented opportunities for student athletes to compete on the national level before college coaches and tutoring services to help prepare them for higher education. Many of those who were his "Federation Angels have gone on to receive college scholarships and college degrees. Former "Angels are now FBI agents, teachers, coaches, preachers, entertainers, military and other professionals.