A star track and field athlete at the University of Missouri-Columbia, Ben Plucknett set the world record in the discus twice in 1981. Ben first set the world record on May 16, 1981 when he threw 71.20m (233-7) at the California Relays in Modesto. He bettered his performance later that year on July 7th when he threw 72.34m (237-4) at the DN Galan International in Stockholm, Sweden; a mark that remains the longest throw by an American.

A qualifier for the 1980 United States Olympic team, Ben did not get to compete at the Games in Moscow, Russia due to the United State’s boycott that year. Ben was inducted into the University of Missouri’s athletic hall of fame in 2001. In the years preceding his death he was a coach at the Iron Wood Throwers Development Camp, helped discus throwers at the University of Missouri, and worked with individual discus throwers across the country.

Ben Plucknett was one of the world's greatest discus throwers. He passed away at his home in Southeast Missouri on November 17, 2002, he was 48.

The Ben Plucknett Charitable Trust was established in 2006 by Ben's mother following his death, it is now headed by Ben's sister, Dr. Jan DeRoin. The trust donates annually to 6 different charities and Non-Profits across the nation, and to date has donated just under 1.5 million dollars in scholarships for kids. 

Through the generosity of this Trust we are able to provide camp scholarships for families in financial need.  

For camp scholarships: 

-We issue one-time use codes that are entered in the checkout portion of the registration process, please wait to register for camp until your scholarship application has been approved and you have received your code. 

We are not currently accepting scholarship applications.  If additional scholarship become available, the application link will be below.  Please contact us if you have specific questions! 

-The camp scholarship application will become available when registration for camp opens.  Scholarship applications will remain available until March 31, 2024.  Scholarship recipients will be contacted by April 15, 2024.  Applications will be reopened if any are available after the initial deadline. 

To submit a scholarship application please complete the google form linked below. 

If you have questions, please contact: 

Sarah Walker
ironwoodtcstaff@gmail.com

Through the generosity of this Trust we are able to provide college scholarships to athletes who are throwing at the collegiate level.

For college scholarships: 

-We frequently review applications for college scholarships and will contact you when scholarships are awarded. 

- In addition to the google form, required documents must be received via email for your application to be considered complete.    

To submit a scholarship application please complete the google form linked below. 

If you have questions, please contact: 

Sarah Walker
ironwoodtcstaff@gmail.com

Interested in becoming a sponsor of Iron Wood Thrower Development Camp?