Benge returns to his roots

Joe Lentz (left) and Stan Benge (right) have a discussion at a game

A legend has returned. Stan Benge saw a great opportunity that he knew couldn’t pass up.

“I enjoyed coaching at Roncalli but returning home was too much to pass up,” said Benge, who is coming home to lead the girls basketball program after Joe Lentz retired..

Coach Benge will be coming back home for the second time. He was the original coach here for 26 years, taught here for 34 years, went to school here, won four  state titles and also won a national championship here in 2009. He is looking forward to the challenge and plan’s to get BD back over the hump to become a state powerhouse again.

Even though Coach Benge’s plans on doing all that again, he has a different perspective on his plans for the program.

 “I would like the players to have an enjoyable learning experience and the last game they play will be the best of the season,: Benge said.

He just wants the best for players helping them anyway he can for them to be successful as a student athlete.

Before Coach Benge announced he was coming back home to BD it was extremely for him to leave all the relationships he had with the community, school and players.

”Leaving Roncalli is extremely difficult,” Benge said. “You form bonds with a lot of great people. I will not see them on a daily basis anymore. Also, Roncalli should have a very good team next year.” 

Coach Benge is not the only one happy with the decision of coming back home. His wife, Shirley, recently retired as a teacher from North Wayne Elementary.

 “She is excited and ready to help,” Benge said.

This year Coach Benge will be entering his 36 years of coaching, 34 as a head coach. He is also 66 years old, but doesn’t stop him doing what he loves to do — which is to coach girls and do whatever he can to tell them. “ Right now I am planning on five more years,” he said.