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Former Conference Commissioner Karl Benson Joins CarrSports Consulting

“I am really looking forward to joining the team at CarrSports Consulting and working with many of my friends and former colleagues to navigate the many issues that face intercollegiate athletics in the coming years,”

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – CarrSports Consulting announced today that Karl Benson, a well respected leader in intercollegiate athletics with more than 40 years of experience, has joined the team. Benson joins an already talented and experienced group of Associates at CarrSports who are engaged in all levels of executive search and management consulting.

“I am really looking forward to joining the team at CarrSports Consulting and working with many of my friends and former colleagues to navigate the many issues that face intercollegiate athletics in the coming years,” Benson said.

“We are excited to welcome Karl Benson to our distinguished group of Associates who provide wise counsel and valuable knowledge in our executive search and management consulting projects,” said CarrSports President Bill Carr. “Karl’s exceptional career in the role of Division I conference commissioner greatly expands our breadth and depth of proven, successful experience in addressing conference-related issues. His participation will be quite meaningful.”

“We are very pleased to have Karl Benson join the CarrSports’ team,” said CarrSports Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mike Thomas. “Karl’s exceptional and diverse career in intercollegiate athletics make him uniquely qualified to provide a high level of service and expertise to our many clients.”

Benson served as Commissioner of three different conferences for the last 29 years, capping a highly-decorated career in collegiate athletics that spanned over five decades. For the last seven years, Benson served as the Commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference where he rejuvenated the conference with his enthusiasm and forward-thinking ideas and initiatives pertaining to branding, membership, student-athlete experience, postseason championships, media partnerships, and the digital media streaming platform.

He arrived at the Sun Belt Conference after a highly-successful 18-year stint (1994-2012) as the Commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). During his time in the WAC, Benson served on the NCAA Management Council from 1999-2002 and on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee from 2002-06.

Benson was also the Commissioner of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) from 1990-1994 where he implemented several innovative projects and was instrumental in the formation of the Las Vegas Bowl.

Benson began his career as a baseball coach for eight years before entering the athletics administration field in 1979 when he was named the Director of Athletics at Fort Steilacoom Community College where he served until 1984. He moved to the University of Utah as an Assistant to the Director of Athletics from 1984-1986 before joining the NCAA staff in 1986 as a Compliance Representative for two years. He was also the Director of Championships for the NCAA from 1988-1990.

Benson attended Spokane Falls Community College and received his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Boise State University in 1975. In 2006, Benson received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Boise State. He is also a member of the Spokane Falls and Fort Steilacoom Halls of Fame. Benson resides in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, Sarah Glaza. His daughter, Jessica, is a 2014 graduate of the University of Southern California.

 

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