{{Short description|American conference commissioner}} {{use mdy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox college coach | name = Karl Benson | image = | alt = | caption = | sport = | current_title = | current_team = | current_conference = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1951|12|1}} | birth_place = La Grande, Oregon, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = Spokane Falls Community College<br>Boise State University (BS)<br>University of Utah (MA) | player_years1 = 1971–1972 | player_team1 = Spokane Falls CC | player_years2 = 1973–1975 | player_team2 = Boise State | player_positions = infielder | coach_years1 = 1976–1981 | coach_team1 = Fort Steilacoom CC | coach_years2 = 1984–1986 | coach_team2 = Utah (assistant) | admin_years1 = 1979–1984 | admin_team1 = Fort Steilacoom CC | admin_years2 = 1984–1986 | admin_team2 = Utah (Administrative Assistant) | admin_years3 = 1986–1987 | admin_team3 = NCAA (Compliance Representative) | admin_years4 = 1987–1988 | admin_team4 = NCAA (Assistant Director of Championships) | admin_years5 = 1988–1990 | admin_team5 = NCAA (Director of Championships) | admin_years6 = 1990–1994 | admin_team6 = Mid-American Conference (commissioner) | admin_years7 = 1994–2012 | admin_team7 = Western Athletic Conference (commissioner) | admin_years8 = 2012–2019 | admin_team8 = Sun Belt Conference (commissioner) | overall_record = | bowl_record = | tournament_record = | championships = | awards = | coaching_records = }}
'''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.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://sunbeltsports.org/staff.aspx?staff=6|title=Karl Benson - Staff Directory|website=sunbeltsports.org|language=en|access-date=2020-01-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Buckley |first=Tim |title=Sun Belt names new commissioner Keith Gill to replace Karl Benson |url=https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/ul/2019/03/19/gill-replace-benson-commissioner-sun-belt-conference/3212086002/ |access-date=2020-01-07 |website=The Advertiser |language=en |publication-place=Lafayette, Louisiana}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Harris |first=Matthew |date=February 17, 2012 |title=Sun Belt Conference 'the right fit' for Benson |url=https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2012/feb/17/sun-belt-conference-right-fit-benson-20120217/ |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette |location=Fayetteville, Arkansas |page=20}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://footballfoundation.org/sports/general/roster/karl-benson/598|title=Karl Benson - General|website=National Football Foundation|language=en|access-date=2020-01-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fornelli |first1=Tom |last2=Sallee |first2=Barrett |date=August 16, 2018 |title=Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson to retire in June after seven-year run |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/sun-belt-commissioner-karl-benson-to-retire-in-june-after-seven-year-run/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129114115/https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/sun-belt-commissioner-karl-benson-to-retire-in-june-after-seven-year-run/ |archive-date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=2020-01-07 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en |no-pp=y}}</ref> Benson is the only person to have served as commissioner at three Division I-A/FBS athletic conferences.<ref name=":8" />
== Early life and education ==
=== Early life === Benson was born in La Grande, Oregon, on December 1, 1951<ref name=":4">[https://www-ancestryinstitution-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/search/collections/2378/records/4562955 Marriage Applications 1974 May-Aug] Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; ''Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013'' </ref> to Leonard 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.<ref>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</ref> Benson had an older brother named Michael and has two other brothers named Eric and Mark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Benson's Memorial |url=https://www.afterall.com/obituaries/d-9173775/sumner-washington/michael-leonard-benson/november-2015 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=www.afterall.com |language=en}}</ref> Before high school, Benson grew up in Yakima, Spokane,<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 30, 2017 |title=Ruth Oxford Benson |url=https://www.lmtribune.com/obituaries/ruth-oxford-benson-e9a3ee11 |work=The Lewiston Tribune |location=Lewiston, Idaho |language=en |no-pp=y}}</ref> and Pullman, Washington.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Bryan |date=August 8, 2023 |title=Pac-12 learns the hard way: The one constant in college sports is change |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/pac-12-learns-the-hard-way-the-one-constant-in-college-sports-is-change |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809020751/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/pac-12-learns-the-hard-way-the-one-constant-in-college-sports-is-change |archive-date=August 9, 2023 |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=FOX Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>
Benson attended and graduated from Pullman High School in 1970, and played for the high school's football, basketball,<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 13, 1969 |title=Pullman Roars in Second Half |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/570595033/ |work=The Spokesman Review |page=14 |language=en |publication-place=Pullman, Washington |via=Newspapers.com |issue=213}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 3, 1970 |title=First-Round Victors Post 2nd Wins in Border Loop |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/564957057/ |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=Spokane, Washington |page=8 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |issue=90}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 18, 1970 |title=Greyhounds Rip Cheney, Quit Celllar |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/571578822/ |work=The Spokesman Review |page=2 |language=en |publication-place=Cheney, Washington |via=Newspapers.com |issue=249}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1970 |title=CV, U-Hi Geared for Big Contest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/564964048/ |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=Spokane, Washington |page=14 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |issue=103}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 19, 1971 |title=Pullman 62, WV 52 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/571618884/ |work=The Spokesman Review |page=2 |language=en |publication-place=Pullman, Washington |via=Newspapers.com |issue=219}}</ref> and baseball teams.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bauer |first=Doug |date=September 22, 2005 |title=Benson makes his way backto the Palouse; WAC commissioner, Pullman High grad will be on hand for Saturday's Idaho-Hawaii game |url=https://www.dnews.com/local-news-northwest/benson-makes-his-way-backto-the-palouse-wac-commissioner-pullman-high-grad-will-be-on-hand-for-saturdays-idaho-hawaii-game-45f873e6 |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Moscow, Idaho |language=en |no-pp=y}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=March 12, 2016 |title=CC Spokane will induct 16 individuals, two teams into hall of fame |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/mar/12/cc-spokane-will-induct-16-individuals-two-teams-in/ |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=The Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |language=en |no-pp=y}}</ref> 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, during his senior season, Benson led the league in home runs and batted a .405 batting average.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 1, 1969 |title=S-R All-Border |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/570590691/ |work=The Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |page=4 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |issue=18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 31, 1970 |title=Wills Takes Over |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/571815778/ |work=The Spokesman Review |location=Spokane, Washington |page=6 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |issue=17}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |date=August 6, 1970 |title=SFCC Lauds City Standout |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/565977674/ |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=Spokane, Washington |page=24 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |issue=274}}</ref>
=== College years === Benson spent his first two years of his undergraduate education and college baseball career at Spokane Falls Community College on scholarship<ref name=":7" /> and played for its baseball team as a second baseman<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 6, 1972 |title=SFC Honors Baseball Club |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/577995342/ |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=Spokane, Washington |page=17 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |issue=221}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author-link=Spokane Falls Community College |title=Hall of Fame - Baseball |url=https://sfcc.spokane.edu/Athletics/Fan-Zone/Hall-of-Fame/Baseball-HOF |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Spokane Falls Community College}}</ref>
Benson then transferred to and played second baseman and catcher<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 9, 1974 |title=BSU Opens Baseball At Adrian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/912920501/ |work=The Idaho Statesman |page=14 |language=en |publication-place=Adrian, Oregon |via=Newspapers.com |issue=227}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 18, 1974 |title=Broncos Host ISU In Twin Bill Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/912915166/ |work=The Idaho Statesman |location=Boise, Idaho |page=21 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |issue=236}}</ref> at Boise State University: where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical education in 1975.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Buckley |first=Tim |title=Sun Belt suspends umpiring crew from Robichaux incident |url=https://www.theadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/baseball/2014/05/02/sun-belt-suspends-umpiring-crew/8630217/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=The Daily Advertiser |place=Lafayette, Louisiana |language=en-US}}</ref> Benson was named its "most inspirational baseball player" at the university's all-sports banquet.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 28, 1973 |title=Star Lauded |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/578049831/ |work=Spokane Chronicle |page=16 |language=en |publication-place=Boise, Idaho |via=Newspapers.com |issue=186}}</ref> During the 1974 season, Benson finished with a .306 batting average.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 17, 1974 |title=Peterson Tops BSC In Hitting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/912943525/ |work=The Idaho Statesman |location=Boise, Idaho |page=20 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |issue=296}}</ref>
Benson also graduated in 1986 with a master's degree in athletics management from the University of Utah.<ref>{{Cite news |author-link=Associated Press |date=April 19, 1994 |title=6 schools set to join the WAC |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=HS19940419.1.12&srpos=1&e=--1951-----en--20--1-byDA-txt-txIN-%22karl+benson%22+AND+%22university+of+utah%22------- |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=Hanford Sentinel |location=Hanford, California |pages=12 |language=en |via=California Digital Newspaper Collection |issue=109}}</ref>
== Career ==
=== Early career === Upon graduation, Benson became the head coach of Fort Steilacoom Community College (n/k/a Pierce College) from 1976 to 1981.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 27, 1977 |title=CC spring sports on the go |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/735751286/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22%20AND%20%22steilacoom%22 |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=63 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=September 1, 1977 |title=Ft. Steilacoom gets baseballers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/735867052/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22%20AND%20%22steilacoom%22 |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=29 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 12, 1982 |title=Locally... |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/736239082/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22 |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=8 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 9, 1982 |title=Raiders put Benson over 100 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/736030363/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22 |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=22 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Benson got his first Athletic Administration job by serving as the college's athletic director from July 17, 1979–March 9, 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 20, 1979 |title=Raiders pick Ron Hopkins |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/736110494/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22 |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=25 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":5" />
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.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=March 9, 1984 |title=For Steilacoom AD quits post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/736865320/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22%20AND%20%22university%20of%20utah%22 |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=15 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 22, 1985 |title=On Stupid Things About Baseball |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/430577045/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22 |work=The Daily Utah Chronicle |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |page=11 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |volume=94 |issue=151}}</ref>
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<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 18, 1987 |title=Stuff n' things |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/613107206/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |page=29 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |volume=234 |issue=157}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McConnell |first=Jerry |date=March 19, 1989 |title=Tourney Problems Few, Far Between |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1989/03/19/tourney-problems-few-far-between/62620191007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808222103/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1989/03/19/tourney-problems-few-far-between/62620191007/ |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |access-date=April 4, 2025 |work=The Oklahoman |location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |language=en |no-pp=y}}</ref> As the director of championships, Benson "actively supervised eight assistant directors in their administration of 68 NCAA championships".<ref name=":2" />
=== 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 18, 1990 |title=Benson to become MAC commissioner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/764699885/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22 |work=The Cincinnati Post |location=Cincinnati, Ohio |page=20 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> During Benson's four years with the MAC, he oversaw the University of Akron becoming the 10th member of the conference in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |author-link=United Press International |date=June 20, 1991 |title=Akron asked to join MAC - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/06/20/Akron-asked-to-join-MAC/8931677390400/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250411082118/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/06/20/Akron-asked-to-join-MAC/8931677390400/ |archive-date=April 11, 2025 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=UPI |place=Ypsilanti, Michigan |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Beckett |first1=John |last2=McCosky |first2=Chris |date=June 21, 1991 |title=MAC invites Akron to become 10th school |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1119172295 |work=The Grand Rapids Press |location=Grand Rapids, Michigan |page=33 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Queen |first=Roland |date=July 19, 1992 |title=Akron to make MAC feel welcome |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/153787251/ |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |page=E3 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=November 14, 1991 |title=MAC's Benson wears many hats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1150219069/ |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |page=45 |language=en |publication-place=Toledo, Ohio |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |author-link=National Collegiate Athletic Association |date=December 31, 2013 |title=History: Las Vegas Bowl |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2013-12-05/history-las-vegas-bowl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826211327/http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2013-12-05/history-las-vegas-bowl |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=National Collegiate Athletic Association}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Zaleski |first=Doug |date=May 2, 1992 |title=MAC, Big West to meet in new Las Vegas Bowl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/251240985/ |work=Muncie Evening Press |location=Muncie, Indiana |pages=15–16 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Moss |first=Jack |date=May 6, 1992 |title=Benson deserves credit for new bowl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1150898104 |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |location=Kalamazoo, Michigan |page=D1 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Block |first=John |date=August 27, 1992 |title=Las Vegas Bowl berth is a real plum for MAC champion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1150859978/ |work=The Kalamazoo Gazette |location=Kalamazoo, Michigan |page=12 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Carle |first=Jack |date=November 24, 1992 |title=Nevada gets berth in Las Vegas Bowl |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/922164436/ |work=Sentinel Tribune |location=Bowling Green, Ohio |page=13 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zaleski |first=Doug |date=June 4, 1992 |title=MAC tourney to be in Ohio |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/251393173/ |work=Muncie Evening Press |location=Muncie, Indiana |pages=21–22 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 5, 1992 |title=MAC basketball moves to Columbus |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1107273735/ |work=The Flint Journal |page=D3 |language=en |publication-place=Toledo, Ohio |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Benson also oversaw the conference sponsor men's soccer in 1993.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Queen |first=Roland |date=February 9, 1993 |title=A new kick to the MAC beginning in the fall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/153246584/ |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |page=D4 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Queen |first=Roland |date=October 22, 1993 |title=MAC signs television deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/151286530/ |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |location=Akron, Ohio |page=B7 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author-link=Associated Press |date=October 25, 1993 |title=MAC helps foot the bill to put basketball on television |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1121043895/ |work=The Grand Rapids Press |location=Grand Rapids, Michigan |page=C7 |language=en}}</ref>
=== 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gullberg |first=Ron |date=April 21, 1994 |title=New WAC leader eyes aggressive marketing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/446334530/ |work=Casper Star-Tribune |location=Casper, Wyoming |pages=A1, A10 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorensen |first=Mike |date=1994-07-24 |title=WAC SIGNS TV DEAL WITH ABC, ESPN |url=https://www.deseret.com/1994/7/24/19121537/wac-signs-tv-deal-with-abc-espn/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WAC reaches new TV deal with ESPN - UPI Archives |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/06/21/WAC-reaches-new-TV-deal-with-ESPN/8990993096000/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author-link=Associated Press |date=2004-07-30 |title=WAC inks new deal with folks at ESPN |url=https://www.deseret.com/2004/7/30/19842753/wac-inks-new-deal-with-folks-at-espn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411085342/https://www.deseret.com/2004/7/30/19842753/wac-inks-new-deal-with-folks-at-espn/ |archive-date=April 11, 2025 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Eborn |first=Jared |date=2008-09-04 |title=WAC rewarded with big ESPN contract |url=https://www.deseret.com/2008/9/4/20272845/wac-rewarded-with-big-espn-contract/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250411094031/https://www.deseret.com/2008/9/4/20272845/wac-rewarded-with-big-espn-contract/ |archive-date=April 11, 2025 |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}</ref> SportsWest,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-07-21 |title=Western Athletic Conference signs television broadcast contract with SportsWest |url=https://latechsports.com/news/2003/7/21/Western_Athletic_Conference_signs_television_broadcast_contract_with_SportsWest#:~:text=--%20Western%20Athletic%20Conference%20Commissioner%20Karl%20Benson,point%20broadcasting%20capability%20--%20will%20bring%20heightened |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=LA Tech Athletics |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2004 |title=Checketts and Soros to Invest $25 Million in CSTV |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/13/sports/checketts-and-soros-to-invest-25-million-in-cstv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506042249/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/13/sports/checketts-and-soros-to-invest-25-million-in-cstv.html |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> and Fox Sports Networks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 1999 |title=WAC-KY STUFF: FOX SPORTS FINALIZES TV DEAL WITH CONFERENCE |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/1999/06/09/Sports-Media/WAC-KY-STUFF-FOX-SPORTS-FINALIZES-TV-DEAL-WITH-CONFERENCE/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250502015930/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/1999/06/09/Sports-Media/WAC-KY-STUFF-FOX-SPORTS-FINALIZES-TV-DEAL-WITH-CONFERENCE/ |archive-date=May 2, 2025 |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}</ref>
=== Commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) === On February 16, 2012,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Wes |date=2012-02-16 |title=Karl Benson named new Sun Belt commissioner |url=https://www.troymessenger.com/2012/02/16/karl-benson-named-new-sun-belt-commissioner/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=The Troy Messenger |language=en |publication-place=Troy, Alabama}}</ref> 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+.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bromberg |first=Nick |date=2018-03-01 |title=Sun Belt and ESPN agree to new TV contract through 2027-28 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/sun-belt-espn-agree-new-tv-contract-2027-28-203826284.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306041452/https://sports.yahoo.com/sun-belt-espn-agree-new-tv-contract-2027-28-203826284.html |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US |no-pp=y}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Conference Commissioner Karl Benson Joins CarrSports Consulting – CarrSports Consulting |url=https://www.carrsportsconsulting.com/former-conference-commissioner-karl-benson-joins-carrsports-consulting/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Personal life == Benson married to his first wife and Boise State alum: Sallee Ann Kosterman on August 3, 1974.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 11, 1974 |title=Kosterman-Benson |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/815627087/?article=08fb84f4-6733-4487-802b-e84640265ce6 |work=The Columbian |location=Vancouver, Washington |page=18 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 9, 1973 |title=Kosterman-Benson |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/815231426/ |work=The Columbian |location=Vancouver, Washington |page=25 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |issue=52}}</ref>
Benson then married to Flight attendant Sharon Ryan from Tacoma, Washington, in 1979.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Borst |first=Don |date=September 26, 1996 |title=A really big conference wants to be big-time, too |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/739776325/ |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=C3 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The couple birthed a daughter named Jessica in 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alexander |first=Elton |date=February 13, 1992 |title=Three teams are too close for comfort |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/1069980627/ |work=The Plain Dealer |location=Cleveland, Ohio |page=6-A |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1983, Benson got his first hole in one in Tumwater, Washington, at Tumwater Valley Golf Club's 2nd hole from 157 yards out.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 11, 1983 |title=Holes-in-one |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/736704486/?match=1&terms=%22karl%20benson%22 |work=The News Tribune |location=Tacoma, Washington |page=18 |language=en |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Benson currently resides in Denver with his third wife: Sarah Glaza. The couple married in October 2016.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=McElwain |first=John |date=2018-08-16 |title=Sun Belt commissioner Benson announces he will leave position |url=https://crescentcitysports.com/sun-belt-commissioner-benson-to-announce-he-will-leave-position/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Crescent City Sports |language=en-US |publication-place=Kenner, Louisiana |no-pp=y}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://sunbeltsports.org/staff.aspx?staff=6 Sun Belt Conference bio]
{{Mid-American Conference commissioner navbox}} {{Western Athletic Conference commissioner navbox}} {{Sun Belt Conference commissioner navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benson, Karl}} Category:Living people Category:Mid-American Conference commissioners Category:Sun Belt Conference commissioners Category:Western Athletic Conference commissioners Category:Boise State Broncos baseball players Category:Spokane Falls Bigfoot baseball players Category:Utah Utes baseball coaches Category:University of Utah alumni Category:Boise State University alumni Category:National Collegiate Athletic Association people Category:People from Pullman, Washington Category:1951 births Category:Student athletes Category:People from La Grande, Oregon Category:Sports executives and administrators Category:People from Whitman County, Washington