"One of Valpo's most productive players during the 1940s, Bean scored 1,080 points during his four-year career. Bean was the top scorer among players from Indiana colleges and universities during the 1942-43 season when Valpo finished 17-5. Following that season, Bean joined the military for World War II and did not resume his career until 1946. Bean attended Kansas University for one semester and then transferred back to Valpo for the 1946-47 season.

A native of Hammond, Indiana, Bean served as team captain his last two seasons. On February 23, 1949, he was honored on "Ted Bean Night". Upon his graduation from Valpo in 1949, Bean went to graduate school at Indiana University and earned a master's degree in business in 1950. He served as personnel manager for Allis Chalmers Farm Equipment for 33 years before retiring in 1983. Bean will be inducted posthumously.