Former Cardinal Trey Moses to Receive NCAA Inspiration Award

MUNCIE, Ind. -- For overcoming tragedy. For championing those with special needs. For openly battling depression and helping others to do the same. For all that and more, Trey Moses will be presented the NCAA's Inspiration Award.

The former Ball State center, now in his first year of professional basketball, was announced Tuesday as one of two award recipients who will be recognized in January during the NCAA's annual convention in Anaheim, California. The other recipient is four-time Super Bowl champion and Vietnam veteran Rocky Bleier.

Despite scoring more than 1,000 career points, competing for two 20-win teams and playing more games than anyone in BSU history, Moses' four years in Muncie were marked more by his impact on others than his accomplishments on the court.

The Louisville native worked with the local Best Buddies organization, devoted his energy to the Dance Marathon fundraiser for Riley Children's Hospital, mentored school-age children and organized basketball camps for kids with Down syndrome. His involvement on campus and in the community was a large reason he became such a fan favorite in Muncie.

"He's always been someone who has had a soft spot in his heart for people he views as vulnerable or could use a helping hand," said James Whitford who recruited Moses to Ball State and coached him for four years. "He takes great pride in using the platform he gets as an athlete."

Moses' college years were not without adversity, though. For one, he began to address a long-standing depression within him. And shortly thereafter, he was forced to deal with something even heavier, the passing of his best friend and BSU teammate Zach Hollywood.

The pair had bonded over basketball and even more over their involvement with Best Buddies, a program designed to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Zach was also someone Trey could talk to about his own struggles.

Moses dedicated his final two years of college basketball to his friend, adopting Hollywood's jersey number and going on to become an All-MAC player.

He also dove even deeper into helping others. He spoke more openly about his depression, sought further help for it, encouraged others to do the same and offered support for anyone dealing with it like he was. He invested deeper in his faith, even sharing his personal testimony on an Athletes in Action trip to New Zealand before his senior season.

"Once I started to open up, I realized I have this platform that's actually making an impact on people's lives," Moses said. "People started looking at me and thinking, 'If he can go through it and he can deal with it, then I can do the same.' That's what has kept me going this entire time."

Moses devoted much of his final year in Muncie to serving as a teacher's assistant at the Child Study Center, a preschool near Ball State's campus, and as an intern at Head Start, another preschool facility in Muncie. He graduated in May with a degree in early childhood education before embarking on his professional career with the Beroe club in Bulgaria.

He still has dreams outside of basketball to further impact the lives of kids once his playing days are finished. Most importantly, he continues to strive to create happiness, both in his life and in the lives of those around him.

Moses' playing duties overseas will keep him from receiving his award in person. His father Alex is scheduled to accept on his behalf at the Jan. 22 Honors Celebration in Anaheim.

Former Cardinal Trey Moses to Receive NCAA Inspiration Award

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Trey Moses

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