Marc Benjamin, nicknamed "Benji", is in his third year leading Cougar softball raising the bar of performance and expectation level.  In just his second year, Benjamin led the Cougars to the 2015 Region VI title for the first time in Barton history since 1993.  

Led by NFCA All-American Erica Harper’s school record twenty-six homeruns, the Cougars led the Division I ranks of NJCAA softball in homeruns and in the top ten nationally in multiple offensive categories.  Finishing 36-20 on the 2015 campaign, the Cougars fell just shy of reaching the NJCAA Division I Tournament losing in the District E Championship.

In his two seasons Benjamin boasts an overall record at Barton of 57-44 including his 2013-2014 squad which was nationally ranked in four categories: 10th in batting average, 9th in on base percentage, 8th in doubles, and 3rd in slugging percentage. His 2014-2015 team also held high rankings in four categories: 15th in runs batted in, 15th in total bases, 9th in extra base hits, and 6th in homeruns with 73.

Benjamin has had a total of eight players receive first or second team honors, including the Region VI Most Valuable Player. Off the field, Benjamin embraces academics, posting an improved 3.44 team GPA in 2015 from the 3.24 team average in 2014. 

Arriving to Barton from NCAA Division I program Southern Utah University, as an assistant coach helped turn a program from 10 wins to 25 wins and earning them a spot in the conference tournament. In his three years at SUU, the Thunderbirds made the conference tournament every year.  As SUU, Benjamin coached a Summit League Conference MVP, an Easton All-American, and thirteen all-conference selections (Summit League and Big Sky Conference).

A former stellar athlete, Benjamin’s playing career began playing second base on the baseball diamond.  After receiving all-conference honors both years at Cerritos College, Benjamin transferred to NCAA Division I University of Utah.  At Utah, Benjamin batted .317 with nine doubles, two triples, three home runs and 55 RBI.  During Benjamin’s senior season he finished in the top ten of the Western Athletic Conference with 15 stolen bases, finishing with 29 career total stolen bases. Benjamin graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in political science in 1994.

An accomplished fast pitch softball player, Benjamin played on elite teams including internationally in New Zealand and Australia.

In addition to Benjamin’s baseball and softball career, his brother, Mike, played 13 years in the major leagues, spending time in the Giants, Phillies, Red Sox and Pirates organizations.