Advice needed

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I am the social director for a community organization for men- let's say it's a sports team. Since September we have had a new member who, according to a very short conversation with his mother, is "on the autism spectrum." He is a wonderful, friendly young man who clearly enjoys being a part of the socials offered by our organization. I have noticed lately, however, that some of the other men in the group are starting to avoid sitting next to him as he tends to repeat himself a lot and talk quite loudly and close to your face. I would be happy to sit next to him, however I am working the events and generally not socializing during them. While I have spoken with several of the other members about being accepting of him, many people joined this group to make friends and are also feeling social pressures during these outings. I am now getting worried that the young man is starting to notice that others aren't being as warm or patient with him anymore, but again I am not able to spend a lot of time with him during the socials.

I am wondering if anyone might offer me some advice on this? I'm not sure if there's any sort of useful conversation I could have with him about this? I plan to also talk with some of the other members, but I'm not sure how much of a change I can affect with them.

Perhaps you could organize a much smaller group of three or four people (possibly with autism themselves, or who have siblings, or friends with autism) outside the community organization who would be willing to socialize with him? I think if the larger group sees him socializing with other men who are willing to talk to him from outside the sport's group, they'd be more willing to accept him despite peer pressure.

Asking Veterans to volunteer might good a place to start. There are always Vets returning home from overseas that have a great deal of compassion given what they've seen, and who need help re-integrating into Society themselves. Given Men tend to have much respect for Veterans, you could kill three birds with one stone.