Judson University coach leaves behind legacy after eight years
Rich Benjamin, Judson University athletic director and head baseball coach, has announced that he has accepted the head baseball coaching job at Indiana Wesleyan University and will be resigning from his positions at Judson this month.
"Saying goodbye to Coach Benjamin is a huge loss for Judson University," said Vice President Nancy Binger. "The work that he has done over the last eight years has been extremely valuable to Judson and he leaves quite a legacy that will forever be remembered. We greatly appreciate the commitment and effort he gave the baseball program and the university and wish him nothing but success in his next chapter of life."
Coach Benjamin leaves behind a lasting impact on Judson Athletics and Judson baseball. Since his start in 2008 he has built an elite program both in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference and the nation.
In his eight years of leading the program, Coach Benjamin tallied 304 career wins, three CCAC regular season championships (2012, 2013, 2014), four CCAC tournament championships (2008, 2013, 2014, 2015), five National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Regional Opening round appearances (2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), two National Christian College Athletic Association World Series appearances (2010, 2011), and two NCCAA North Central Regional Championships (2010, 2011).
Benjamin's coaching resume also includes two CCAC Coach of the Year awards (2012, 2013) and three NCCAA Regional Coach of the Year awards (2008, 2010, 2015). Under Benjamin the Eagles also received their first NAIA national ranking and have been ranked as high as No. 16 in the polls.
On the field, the program has produced five consecutive seasons with 40-plus wins with a program best 47 in 2012. In 2012 and 2013, the team also reached 25 wins in the CCAC and set a program best 18-game win streak in 2013 as well. During Benjamin's era, the team has had 43 CCAC All-Conference selections, two CCAC Player of the Year selections, five NAIA All-Americans, and eight players sign professional contracts.
Coach Benjamin has been known for developing the whole person, the program's foundation has been built by living out the commitments required to maximize each player's individual ability on and off the field. Benjamin's coaching achievements are nothing short of remarkable, but the legacy is seen through the numerous players impacted by a coach's determination to make them the best student, player, and person they could be. Judson Athletics and Judson baseball has forever been changed by a great coach and mentor.