Media

Jim Benson

Year Inducted: 2025

Category: Media

Schools / Organizations:

The Bloomington Pantagraph

Biography:

A Dwight native, Jim was a sportswriter for 42 years at The Pantagraph in Bloomington before retiring in 2023. He covered high school basketball for his entire Pantagraph tenure, working many boys’ and girls’  IHSA regionals, sectionals, super-sectionals and state tournaments.

Jim also covered the University of Illinois men’s basketball from 1984-2005, including NCAA Final Fours in 1989 and 2005. He switched to Illinois State basketball from 2006-2023. Jim has received many awards from the Associated Press and Illinois Press Association.