EKU joins family and friends in mourning the passing of one of Eastern's pioneers – Ben Price -- who, along with his three relay team teammates, became the first African American athletes to compete in the history of Eastern Kentucky University athletics as a member of the record-setting 1962 Mile Relay team. He was inducted into the EKU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013 for this honor along with his Mile Relay teammates Jack Jackson, Bob Scott and Irvin Lewis.

Price came to Eastern in 1960 from Roosevelt High School in Dayton. After his time at EKU, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he proudly served as a career paratrooper in many storied units, including the 101^st Airborne Division, the 82^nd Airborne Division and the 10^th Special Force Group. Over his distinguished military career, he earned numerous accolades, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart while serving three combat tours in Vietnam.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sandra Fay Ballard; two sons, Benjamin Price III and Mark Price; and two grandchildren, Javier Price and Abigail Price. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Farristown Baptist Church in Berea   Visitation will be held Friday from 5-8 p.m. at the Farristown Baptist Church.