University of Minnesota Crookston Athletics

Zach Benson is entering his third year as the Assistant Director of Recreation at Minnesota Crookston. He previously served as an intern for the wellness center during his senior year at Minnesota Crookston. 

In Benson's full-time role, he aids with day-to-day operations in the Wellness Center. He oversees intramurals, and will assist Assistant Athletic Director Nate Mahlen with game management. He will also help coordinate and schedule Minnesota Crookston's recreation club sports programs. Benson also helps with facility scheduling. 

In Benson's role as an intern, he has worked with visiting teams and officials on gameday logistics, and helped with the set-up and breakdown of athletic events. He was responsible for hiring, training, and daily oversight of 15 student employees and coordinating their work in the Wellness Center and in game management. Benson helped launch a mobile app for the Wellness Center. He worked with the business office to handle all membership sign-ups and payments. Benson also worked with organizations and other campus departments to host events in Minnesota Crookston's athletic and recreation facilities. 

Benson is also an umpire for MSHSL baseball and softball, as well as an official for boys and girls basketball, and football. He has done some officiating at the collegiate level in baseball, basketball, and football too.

Benson received his Bachelor of Science degree in sports and recreation management from Minnesota Crookston in May of 2023. Benson also recently earned his master's degree in sports management from Minnesota State. Benson earned Dean's List accolades on multiple occasions as a student. He is a native of Oklee, Minn., and attended Red Lake County Central High School.