Bethel Gets Transfer

[Loucks]

Tony Benford (6'2" Guard) will finish out his playing career and education at Bethel College. Benford played three seasons at Tri-State University where he averaged 19.2 ppg last season. Benford played in high school at Muncie Southside.

Benford will red-shirt this year to get acclimated to the Bethel system.

[huisrealgood]

19.2 points a game! Wow.

[WesleyTheWildcat]

Maybe its because its the offseason and their isn't much buzz around here for men's basketball yet but this seems like a solid find for the Pilot program.

I understand he will only be a one year player and he will also be away from competitive game action for a year but this seems like a somewhat exciting pickup for BC. While he was playing at an arguably lower-level of play (Division III), he put up very solid numbers. After looking at the Tri-State website, he was a two-time All-Conference 1st Team member at Tri-State. With the Pilots losing a decent amount of talent, especially at the offensive end, after 2008-2009, the pickup of Benford could be a solid one.

The only issue I could see with Bedford is that the Pilots will appear to be somewhat guard-heavy upon Bedfords arrival with Lightfoot, Lantz, and Laidig all firmly in place and who knows who else coming in. I doubt it will be much of an issue since Lightfoot usually seems to like to stockpile good guards (can you blame him?)...

All in all, for a signing with very little press or fanfare, I think this is a solid one.

[Kyle Feller]

Seems like a nice fit for the Pilots.

One way to look at his red-shirt year is that there probably won't be a better scout team guard in the conference! With the Pilots losing William, Kory, and Mark next year......it seems like a good opportunity for Tony to slide right into the rotation with Ryne and Caleb.

[cowboy]

*

that stands for :beware the transfer)

[knaveljm]

I agree with Wesley here. Very nice signing for Bethel in regards to very quietly getting a pretty nice player to stash away for a year. Could they be redshirting him because they are close to the scholarship limit and can't afford to count him against that limit, or is it simply a case of having a lot of talent at guard and not really seeing any room for him to get court time this year?

[WesleyTheWildcat]

I'm only guessing here but my thought is that they only get one year of this guy from a basketball stand point so why not red-shirt him and get him acclimated to the playing style, the plays themselves, as well as his teammates and Bethel College as a whole. If he needs two years academically to graduate then it only makes sense for both sides to get two years out of him.

[knaveljm]

Good point. I overlooked the fact that he's already played three years. I figured he was coming in as a sophomore or junior.

[cowboy]

Bethel's got plenty of Scholarship $--I'm just wondering why a guy transfers with one year left

[Formerbruin]

I can think of a few reasons. One of my "favorites" is that Tony will get chance to hang out in the gym and watch the Noon Time guys hoop it up.

[cowboy]

anyone know why he left Tri-State or Triune or whatever they call it now?

[blue2blue]

I do wonder why a guy who has obviously succeeded at one school for 3 years and is close to graduating leaves to sit out a year and play just one year at another school.

I also question why BC would want a player for just one year when it means a potential 4 year player is being left off to make room for him? Doesn't that hurt the depth of the squad. That means that Benford, Lightfoot, Brown and W. Laidig will all be seniors together. If they all start that year, that creates a lot of rebuilding for the following season it seems.

At any rate, I hope his one year at BC is a great one.

[bcalum98]

On the scholarship issue, this could be a mute point. Tri-State being Division III means he was not on any athletic money to begin with, I amnot sure of the costs of both schools anymore, but I would be shocked if they were not comparable or Bethel even being cheaper. Why not take a player who can help you, whether it be one year or four? And I can see why someone would choose to leave Tri-State, have you been to that campus? Brick buildings that have been there a long time, and the campus does not scream beautiful. Little more scenery in Mishawaka!

[WesleyTheWildcat]

I don't know about the cost comparison of the two schools but the idea that Division III doesn't have any athletic money to give is somewhat misleading. Yes, Division III does not offer athletic aid, however, Division III institutions do offer athletes other available aid whether that be academic or other special scholarships. Its a confusing process but I would be very suprised if he was paying much out of his own pocket to attend Tri-State.

[foresterpride]

Trine (Tri-State) has alot of discontent in the athletic department and I'm guessing its just a reflection of what is going on at the school in general. I personally know of a other couple of good athletes have also exited that place this summer.

From what I have heard the athletic department has had significant leadership problems and alot of coaching staff turnover. Their ability to attract women is almost nil', when compared to other like schools who are made up of 60-65% women.

It definitely appears Trine is in some kind of financial trouble. Which I doubt the sale of naming rites are going to fix.

Personally I think the NAIA should be all over Trine to rejoin, and reclaim its former football glory.