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Western New Mexico University Athletics

Western New Mexico University Athletics

Hall of Fame

Mark Benedetto

  • Class
  • Induction
    2013
  • Sport(s)
    Baseball, Coach

Benedetto arrived in Silver City on New Year's Eve and took over the position of Director of Student Activities/Head Baseball Coaching at Western New Mexico starting in January 1982. His mid-year departure from Midwestern Texas State University where he had been the most successful baseball coach in the institution's history, not only raised a few eyebrows, it brought unwelcomed attention to Western New Mexico's winless record during the spring of 1981 (0-22).
In 1982, the Mustang's won their season opener by beating defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Champion Mesa State College and posted a much improved 8-24 record. In 1983, the Mustangs went 24-10 and captured a runner spot in the RMAC. That team captured the NAIA's team batting championship with a .390 average. After posting a 33-20 record in 1984 and another 2nd place RMAC finish, WNMU went on to claim two RMAC championships in back-to-back years in 1985 (37-15 record) and 1986 (38-14 record). For the first time ever, Western New Mexico earned the right to host the RMAC and the NAIA District Tournament in Silver City. That year the Mustangs upset #1 ranked Grand Canyon University and advanced to the NAIA Regional Championship in Dallas, Texas. Coach Benedetto's final season in 1987 was again successful as the Mustangs went 26-21 and ended up as the RMAC runner-up. Five players from his teams went on to play professionally including Jose Bennett (Seattle), Michael Kessler (Anaheim), Steven Oizumi (Seattle), Greg Williamson (Cleveland) and Logan White (Seattle). Overall during his six seasons as WNMU's head baseball coach, he posted a remarkable 166-104 record. Five of his student athletes earned All-American honors, while another 20 were named to the All-Conference team. The 1986 team still holds an NCAA record for most consecutive base hits in a game; WNMU accomplished that feat against Colorado State when they recorded 14 base hits in row. Three of Coach Benedetto's former players have been inducted into the WNMU Athletic Hall of Fame: Logan White, Rodney Smith and Tim Bravo.
After becoming the youngest head baseball coach to ever reach 300 victories and after 11 seasons as a collegiate head baseball coach, Mark Benedetto moved from coaching into administration. He currently is about to begin his 17 year as President of the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota.

 
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