The Beacoms: Family Of The Year

Growing up as one of 14 siblings, Lindsay Beacom’s father could not afford to go to college. So, he vowed that his children would all have the opportunity that he missed out on.

Now, all five of his children have taken at least some type of college courses. However, Mount Marty College has been the popular choice.

By the time that now freshman Courtney Beacom graduates, the Beacoms will have had a member of the family enrolled at MMC since 2004.

Not only have they been present in the college setting, but they have had their fair share of extra-curricular activities as well.

The Beacoms, from Lyons, Neb., have had three siblings attend the college while playing some type of athletic sport.

Using an academics first mindset, the Beacom siblings have successfully balanced academics and athletics.

This starts with Corey, a 4-year letterman in baseball, who graduated in May 2008 with an Accounting degree.

Corey received NAIA Academic All-American both his junior and senior years.

Lindsay, a volleyball letterman, received the award as a junior and is set to earn the award again. She is expected to graduate in May 2009 with and History and Secondary Education degrees with and a coaching endorsement.

And now, Courtney, a freshman on the Track and Field team, is expected to graduate Spring 2012. She is taking classes on her way to degrees in both Elementary Education and Special Education.

Because of the academic success that both Corey and Lindsay have had, the expectations are high for Courtney. However, this is nothing new for any member of the Beacom family.

“My parents have always made us put academics before sports,” Lindsay said. “All five of us kids played sports year-round. But, grades came first.

Lindsay is the only one of the three who will attend at least one year with both siblings. She said that her experience was made easy by having her brother to help.

“It has been a wonderful experience attending college with my brother and sister,” Lindsay said. “Our family has always been really close, and it was nice to have my big brother here when I started out school.”

Now she hopes that she can help Courtney during her first year.

“I’m trying to make Courtney’s transition a good one now, too,” Lindsay said. “I think people worry that they won’t be able to make a name for themselves at college if they follow their brother or sister, but I have found that is an easy thing to do at Mount Marty.”