Don Benning, associate professor, Department of Educational Administration,featured in The Reader



Don Benning, associate professor, Department of Educational Administration,featured in The Reader

16 Mar 2010    

Don Benning, associate professor in the Department of Educational Administration, is featured in the March 10, 2010 issue of The Reader.

Benning, has had a storied career in education. He has taught in CEHS for over a decade and is coordinator of the Urban Education program. Previously, Benning was Assistant Superintendent for the Omaha Public School District.

The Reader article, however, examines an early stage of Benning's career. Starting in 1963 Benning led the UNO wrestling program. In 1970, Coach Benning led his team to a national wrestling title. From 1967 to 1971, his teams went 65-6-4 in duals.

The Reader examines in depth the historical significance of Benning's leadership. According to the magazine, at age 26, "Benning was the first black head coach of a varsity sport (in the modern era) at a predominantly white college or university." Benning's work and leadership was recognized by Ebony Magazine, which "celebrated the achievement in a March 1964 spread headlined, “Coach Cracks Color Barrier.”

Read more.


College of Education and Human Sciences
Educational Administration