Karl Benson

Karl Benson

Biographical details
Born	(1951-12-01) December 1, 1951 (age 73) La Grande, Oregon, U.S.
Alma mater	Spokane Falls Community College Boise State University (BS) University of Utah (MA)
Playing career
1971–1972	Spokane Falls CC
1973–1975	Boise State
Position(s)	infielder
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1976–1981	Fort Steilacoom CC
1984–1986	Utah (assistant)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1979–1984	Fort Steilacoom CC
1984–1986	Utah (Administrative Assistant)
1986–1987	NCAA (Compliance Representative)
1987–1988	NCAA (Assistant Director of Championships)
1988–1990	NCAA (Director of Championships)
1990–1994	Mid-American Conference (commissioner)
1994–2012	Western Athletic Conference (commissioner)
2012–2019	Sun Belt Conference (commissioner)

Karl David Benson (born December 1, 1951) is a former college baseball coach and college athletics administrator. Benson last served as the commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) from 2012 until his retirement in June 2019. ^{[1] [2] [3]} Previously, Benson was the commissioner of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) from 1990 to 1994 and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) from 1994 to 2012. ^{[4] [5]} Benson is the only person to have served as commissioner at three Division I-A/FBS athletic conferences. ^[1]

Early life and education

Early life

Benson was born in La Grande, Oregon, on December 1, 1951 ^[6] to Leonard "Len" Benson (father): a freight agent at Consolidated Freightways and construction company co-owner and Ruth Oxford (mother): a small construction company co-owner and active member of the Lutheran church. ^[7] Benson had an older brother named Michael and two other brothers named Eric and Mark. ^[8] Before high school, Benson grew up in Yakima, Spokane, ^[9] and Pullman, Washington. ^{[3] [10]}

Benson attended and graduated from Pullman High School in 1970, and played for the high school's football, basketball, ^{[11] [12] [13] [14] [15]} and baseball teams. ^{[16] [17]} Benson played first baseman and catcher, and earned first-team all-league honors in, both, his junior and senior seasons in 1969 and 1970. Additionally, Benson, both, led the league in home runs and batted a .405 batting average (baseball) during his senior season. ^{[18] [19] [20]}

College years

Benson spent his first two years of his undergraduate education at Spokane Falls Community College on scholarship ^[20] and played for its baseball team as a second baseman ^[21] for its 1971 and 1972 seasons. The college's head coach Bill Johnson described Benson as a "hardworking, competitive young man who accepted the role of leader and role model for his teammates". Benson was inducted into the college's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. ^{[17] [22]}

Benson then transferred to and continued his college baseball career as both second baseman and catcher ^{[23] [24]} at Boise State University: where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical education in 1975. ^{[17] [22] [25]} Benson was named its "most inspirational baseball player" at the university's all-sports banquet. ^[26] Benson finished batting .306 during the 1974 season. ^[27]

Benson also graduated in 1986 with a master's degree in athletics management from the University of Utah. ^[28]

Career

Early career

Upon graduation, Benson became the head coach of Fort Steilacoom Community College (n/k/a Pierce College) from 1976 to 1981. ^{[29] [30] [31]} Benson won his 100th game as a head coach on March 9, 1982 after winning against Everett Community College in the Edmonds College Invitational baseball tournament. ^[32] Benson got his first Athletic Administration job by serving as the college's athletic director from July 17, 1979–March 9, 1984. ^{[33] [34]}

From 1984-1986, Benson served as, both, a coaching assistant to the Utah Utes baseball team and an administrative assistant to the Utah Utes athletics department. ^{[34] [35]}

In January 1986, Benson left Utah to work for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) initially as a Compliance Representative, then promoted to assistant director of championships in June 1987 ^[36] and, finally, director of championships in 1988. As assistant director of championships, Benson played a role in coordinating the NCAA Division I Men's Wrestling Championships to the Myriad Convention Center in Oklahoma City for the 1989 and 1992 seasons. ^[37] As the director of championships, Benson "actively supervised eight assistant directors in their administration of 68 NCAA championships". ^[38]

Commissioner of the Mid-American Conference (MAC)

On June 18, 1990, Benson became the 5th commissioner of the Mid-American Conference to replace, outgoing, Jim Lessig. ^[39] During Benson's four years with the MAC, he oversaw the University of Akron becoming the 10th member of the conference in 1992. ^{[40] [41] [42]} Benson also extended, for 2 years, the conference's existing sports broadcasting deal with ESPN in 1991 to televise its men's basketball championship tournament game. ^[43] Benson was also partly responsible for forming the Las Vegas Bowl starting in the 1992 season; which continued to give a each team from both the MAC and the Big West Conference a bowl tie-in after the California Raisin Bowl ceased operations the year before. ^{[43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48]} Benson oversaw the conference's Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournament change venues from Cobo Arena in Detroit to Battelle Hall in Columbus, Ohio, beginning in the 1992-93 men's basketball season. ^{[49] [50]} Benson also oversaw the conference sponsor men's soccer in 1993. ^[51] On October 22, 1993, Benson also helped renew the MAC's television deal with ESPN, Pro-Am Sports System (PASS), and SportsChannel to broadcast the members' men's basketball and women's basketball teams. ^{[52] [53]}

Commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC)

On April 21, 1994, Benson became the 5th commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference to replace, outgoing, Joseph Kearney effective July 1, 1994. ^[54] During his eighteen years with the WAC, Benson oversaw the conference's membership changing during conference realignment. Benson also coordinated multi-year sports broadcasting deals for the conference to broadcast the conference's football, men's basketball, and women's basketball teams with ABC Sports, ESPN, ^{[55] [56] [57] [58]} SportsWest, ^{[59] [60]} and Fox Sports Networks. ^[61]

Commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC)

On February 16, 2012, ^[62] Benson became the 5th commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference. During his seven years with the SBC, Benson oversaw the addition of the five following universities that most recently competed in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and to replace its outgoing members located in Texas, Tennessee, and Florida: Appalachian State University, Coastal Carolina University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, and Texas State University. Benson also extended the conference's television deal with ESPN, the conference's primary and sole sports broadcasting partner, into the 2027-28 season. Additionally, any game not selected to broadcast on ESPN's linear television networks (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU) would be streamed on ESPN+. ^[63]

After leaving the Sun Belt Conference, Benson became an associate for CarrSports Consulting: A Florida-based consulting company that conducts nationwide searches for athletic administrators and athletics management. ^[64]

Personal life

Benson married to his first wife and Boise State alum: Sallee Ann Kosterman on August 3, 1974. ^{[6] [65] [66]}

Benson then married to Flight attendant Sharon Ryan from Tacoma, Washington, in 1979. ^[67] The couple birthed a daughter named Jessica in 1992. ^[68]

In 1983, Benson got his first hole in one in Tumwater, Washington, at Tumwater Valley Golf Club's 2nd hole from 157 yards out. ^[69]

Benson currently resides in Denver with his third wife: Sarah Glaza. The couple married in October 2016. ^[38]

References

1. "Karl Benson - Staff Directory". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
2. Buckley, Tim. "Sun Belt names new commissioner Keith Gill to replace Karl Benson". The Advertiser. Lafayette, Louisiana. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
3. Harris, Matthew (February 17, 2012). "Sun Belt Conference 'the right fit' for Benson". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette . Fayetteville, Arkansas. p. 20. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
4. "Karl Benson - General". National Football Foundation. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
5. Fornelli, Tom; Sallee, Barrett (August 16, 2018). "Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson to retire in June after seven-year run". CBSSports.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
6. Marriage Applications 1974 May-Aug Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013
7. National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: La Grande, Union, Oregon; Roll: 1535; Page: 73; Enumeration District: 31-23 https://1950census.archives.gov/search/?county=Union&ed=31-23&name=Leonard%20Benson&page=1&state=OR
8. "Michael Benson's Memorial". www.afterall.com. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
9. "Ruth Oxford Benson". The Lewiston Tribune . Lewiston, Idaho. April 30, 2017.
10. Fischer, Bryan (August 8, 2023). "Pac-12 learns the hard way: The one constant in college sports is change". FOX Sports. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
11. "Pullman Roars in Second Half". The Spokesman Review . No. 213. Pullman, Washington. December 13, 1969. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
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14. "CV, U-Hi Geared for Big Contest". Spokane Chronicle . No. 103. Spokane, Washington. January 19, 1970. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Pullman 62, WV 52". The Spokesman Review . No. 219. Pullman, Washington. December 19, 1971. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
16. Bauer, Doug (September 22, 2005). "Benson makes his way backto the Palouse; WAC commissioner, Pullman High grad will be on hand for Saturday's Idaho-Hawaii game". Moscow-Pullman Daily News . Moscow, Idaho . Retrieved April 2, 2025.
17. "CC Spokane will induct 16 individuals, two teams into hall of fame". The Spokesman-Review . Spokane, Washington. March 12, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
18. "S-R All-Border". The Spokesman-Review . No. 18. Spokane, Washington. June 1, 1969. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "Wills Takes Over". The Spokesman Review . No. 17. Spokane, Washignton. May 31, 1970. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "SFCC Lauds City Standout". Spokane Chronicle . No. 274. Spokane, Washington. August 6, 1970. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "SFC Honors Baseball Club". Spokane Chronicle . No. 221. Spokane, Washington. June 6, 1972. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Hall of Fame - Baseball". Spokane Falls Community College . Retrieved April 2, 2025.
23. "BSU Opens Baseball At Adrian". The Idaho Statesman . No. 227. Adrian, Oregon. March 9, 1974. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Broncos Host ISU In Twin Bill Today". The Idaho Statesman . No. 236. Boise, Idaho. March 18, 1974. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
25. Buckley, Tim. "Sun Belt suspends umpiring crew from Robichaux incident". The Daily Advertiser. Lafayette, Louisiana . Retrieved March 30, 2025.
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27. "Peterson Tops BSC In Hitting". The Idaho Statesman . No. 296. Boise, Idaho. May 17, 1974. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "6 schools set to join the WAC". Hanford Sentinel . No. 109. Hanford, California. April 19, 1994. p. 12. Retrieved April 1, 2025– via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
29. "CC spring sports on the go". The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. March 27, 1977. p. 63 – via Newspapers.com.
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31. "Locally..." The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. May 12, 1982. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
32. "Raiders put Benson over 100". The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. March 9, 1982. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
33. "Raiders pick Ron Hopkins". The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. July 20, 1979. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
34. "For Steilacoom AD quits post". The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. March 9, 1984. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
35. "On Stupid Things About Baseball". The Daily Utah Chronicle . Vol. 94, no. 151. Salt Lake City, Utah. May 22, 1985. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
36. "Stuff n' things". The Salt Lake Tribune . Vol. 234, no. 157. Salt Lake City, Utah. September 18, 1987. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
37. McConnell, Jerry (March 19, 1989). "Tourney Problems Few, Far Between". The Oklahoman . Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
38. McElwain, John (August 16, 2018). "Sun Belt commissioner Benson announces he will leave position". Crescent City Sports. Kenner, Louisiana . Retrieved April 1, 2025.
39. "Benson to become MAC commissioner". The Cincinnati Post . Cincinnati, Ohio. June 18, 1990. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
40. "Akron asked to join MAC - UPI Archives". UPI. Ypsilanti, Michigan. June 20, 1991. Archived from the original on April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
41. Beckett, John; McCosky, Chris (June 21, 1991). "MAC invites Akron to become 10th school". The Grand Rapids Press . Grand Rapids, Michigan. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
42. Queen, Roland (July 19, 1992). "Akron to make MAC feel welcome". The Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio. p. E3 – via Newspapers.com.
43. "MAC's Benson wears many hats". The Kalamazoo Gazette . Toledo, Ohio. November 14, 1991. p. 45 – via Newspapers.com.
44. "History: Las Vegas Bowl". National Collegiate Athletic Association . December 31, 2013. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
45. Zaleski, Doug (May 2, 1992). "MAC, Big West to meet in new Las Vegas Bowl". Muncie Evening Press . Muncie, Indiana. pp. 15–16 – via Newspapers.com.
46. Moss, Jack (May 6, 1992). "Benson deserves credit for new bowl". The Kalamazoo Gazette . Kalamazoo, Michigan. p. D1 – via Newspapers.com.
47. Block, John (August 27, 1992). "Las Vegas Bowl berth is a real plum for MAC champion". The Kalamazoo Gazette . Kalamazoo, Michigan. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
48. Carle, Jack (November 24, 1992). "Nevada gets berth in Las Vegas Bowl". Sentinel Tribune . Bowling Green, Ohio. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
49. Zaleski, Doug (June 4, 1992). "MAC tourney to be in Ohio". Muncie Evening Press . Muncie, Indiana. pp. 21–22 – via Newspapers.com.
50. "MAC basketball moves to Columbus". The Flint Journal . Toledo, Ohio. June 5, 1992. p. D3 – via Newspapers.com.
51. Queen, Roland (February 9, 1993). "A new kick to the MAC beginning in the fall". The Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio. p. D4 – via Newspapers.com.
52. Queen, Roland (October 22, 1993). "MAC signs television deal". The Akron Beacon Journal . Akron, Ohio. p. B7 – via Newspapers.com.
53. "MAC helps foot the bill to put basketball on television". The Grand Rapids Press . Grand Rapids, Michigan. October 25, 1993. p. C7.
54. Gullberg, Ron (April 21, 1994). "New WAC leader eyes aggressive marketing". Casper Star-Tribune . Casper, Wyoming. pp. A1, A10 – via Newspapers.com.
55. Sorensen, Mike (July 24, 1994). "WAC SIGNS TV DEAL WITH ABC, ESPN". Deseret News . Retrieved April 11, 2025.
56. "WAC reaches new TV deal with ESPN - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
57. "WAC inks new deal with folks at ESPN". Deseret News. July 30, 2004. Archived from the original on April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
58. Eborn, Jared (September 4, 2008). "WAC rewarded with big ESPN contract". Deseret News . Archived from the original on April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
59. "Western Athletic Conference signs television broadcast contract with SportsWest". LA Tech Athletics. July 21, 2003. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
60. "Checketts and Soros to Invest $25 Million in CSTV". The New York Times. September 13, 2004. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
61. "WAC-KY STUFF: FOX SPORTS FINALIZES TV DEAL WITH CONFERENCE". Sports Business Journal. June 8, 1999. Archived from the original on May 2, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
62. Johnson, Wes (February 16, 2012). "Karl Benson named new Sun Belt commissioner". The Troy Messenger. Troy, Alabama. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
63. Bromberg, Nick (March 1, 2018). "Sun Belt and ESPN agree to new TV contract through 2027-28". Yahoo Sports. Archived from the original on March 6, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
64. "Former Conference Commissioner Karl Benson Joins CarrSports Consulting – CarrSports Consulting" . Retrieved March 31, 2025.
65. "Kosterman-Benson". The Columbian . Vancouver, Washington. August 11, 1974. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
66. "Kosterman-Benson". The Columbian . No. 52. Vancouver, Washington. December 9, 1973. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
67. Borst, Don (September 26, 1996). "A really big conference wants to be big-time, too". The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. p. C3 – via Newspapers.com.
68. Alexander, Elton (February 13, 1992). "Three teams are too close for comfort". The Plain Dealer . Cleveland, Ohio. p. 6-A – via Newspapers.com.
69. "Holes-in-one". The News Tribune . Tacoma, Washington. August 11, 1983. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• Sun Belt Conference bio