The United States Track and Field Coaches Association has named head track coach Bennie Benson the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. The award was presented prior to the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championship held in Ohio on March 8.

"This is a great honor," said Benson, who also was named the Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. "I am thrilled to have been chosen to receive this award." Benson said he shares the honor with his athletes and assistant coaches. "This is a testament to the performance of the athletes," he said, "and recognition of the hard work of the assistant coaches."

Now in his seventh season at Montclair State, Benson has produced 25 All-Americans, including 16 in the indoor season. He has helped Montclair State become a force in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and has been instrumental in gaining the program regional and national attention.

Benson guided Montclair State to two Top 10 showings at this year's NCAA Indoor Championships. The men's team finished third, the highest at the Indoor Championships for Montclair State since the meet was first held in 1985 (the Red Hawks placed fourth in 1992 and 1993). The women's team placed eighth, its best placing at the NCAA's since 1992 when the Red Hawks finished fifth. Montclair also claimed its first individual indoor champion since 1993 when Enrique Llanos won the 55-meter hurdles. (Click here to read more about Llanos and other NCAA title news).

"We are extremely proud of Bennie and our track student-athletes," said Athletic Director Holly Gera. "Our third place men's finish and eighth place women's finish are tremendous accomplishments. Bennie's recognition as Division III national coach of the year is well deserved. We salute him."

Benson was a standout performer in his own right. His successful high school career included his selection as an All-American and a two-time Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state medal winner in the 800 meters, 4-by-800-meter relay and 4-by-400-meter relay. At Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, Benson was a 10-time All-Northeast Conference (NEC) selection and set eight school records in seven events, including the 800 meters, the distance medley and the 4-by-800 meter relay. He was also a member of two NEC Championship Cross-Country teams.

Benson currently serves as the men's chair of the United States Track and Field Association of New Jersey and is on the board of the United States Track and Field Association. In addition, he is a member of the NCAA and Eastern College Athletic Association coaches associations.

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