Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Wrestler Ben Bennett is Maroon & Gold Through and Through

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- A native of Rockford, Ben Bennett is one of the most decorated student-athletes in Central Michigan history, becoming the Chippewas' first – and still only – four-time All-American wrestler.

Bennett joins 25 other wrestlers in the CMU Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame. He is set to be inducted with the class of 2023 on Sept. 29 during a ceremony at McGuirk Arena.

Before his time at Central Michigan, Bennett was one of the best high school wrestlers in the state of Michigan, winning three individual state titles and finishing with a career record of 213-3 at Rockford High School.

"It's pretty special, I think," Bennett said of joining the Hall of Fame. "Obviously, there's so many great athletes in the Hall of Fame from so many different sports. To be the guy selected this year when there's so many great wrestlers that haven't been inducted yet is pretty cool, it's pretty special when a group of people think of you so highly."

Bennett wrestled at CMU from 2009-13, earning four Mid-American Conference individual title and four times was named an All-American by finishing in the top eight nationally. He was named the MAC Freshman of the Year in 2009-10, the MAC Wrestler of the Year in 2011-12, and is the lone four-time All-American in program history.

MARCY WESTON CMU ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
Date: Friday, Sept. 29, 2023
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: McGuirk Arena
Admission: Free and open to the public

He was also a three-time winner of the Chick Sherwood Award, which goes to the program's most valuable wrestler, and he ranks sixth program history with 121 career wins, fourth in career win percentage (.834), and holds the program record for consecutive wins (30).

Immediately after earning a bachelor's degree with a major in sociology, Bennett joined his mentor, CMU coach Tom Borrelli, as an assistant coach in 2013. In 2022, he was promoted to Borrelli's associate head coach.

"I've always wanted to coach in college and I loved wrestling for coach Borelli so when I got a chance to stick around and coach with him, I didn't have to think about it," he said. "I've been (at CMU) for 15 years now and I love it here and the community, it's become home for me now."

Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Wrestler Ben Bennett is Maroon & Gold Through and Through

Related Videos