Ben Pherson wins MWCA Publicity Award
By Nick Fornicoia
MWCA Publicity Chair
March 11, 2010
It is with great pleasure that the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Award
honors Ben Pherson of the Rochester Post-Bulletin with this year’s
Publicity Award. The Publicity Award is given to a member of the media
that selflessly promotes the sport of wrestling and wrestlers.
Pherson was recognized and presented with a plaque on Saturday, March 6th at the MWCA Recognition Brunch in St. Paul.
Ben was nominated by Brian Parlin from Rochester Mayo, Steve Patton the
president of the SE Minnesota Wrestling Coalition, and Chuck Seifert
former Head wrestling coach at Rochester Community college.
Steve Patton said, “Ben covers every major tournament in the state and
volunteers as a member of the outstanding wrestler selection committee
at the Clash. He also provides valuable input into the team selection
and seeding process before the tournament. Ben has taken wrestling in
SE Minnesota from a footnote on the back page to front and center of
the sports section. His in-depth previews, event coverage, and
post-event wrap-ups are a model for all sportswriters in the state.”
In addition, Coach Parlin said, “Ben Pherson writes more articles on
wrestling than any sports writer in the state. He covers all the area
wrestling previews, the MN Christmas tournament, the Clash, the Section
1 A, AA, and AAA team and individual tournaments, and State. He also
throws in a ton of wrestling previews and stories throughout the year.”
Ben has entrenched himself at the state tournament for several years
staying away from his family for four days at a time so he can promote
the accomplishments of the deserving wrestlers in SouthEastern
Minnesota.
Even though Ben constantly praises the accomplishments of others he is
modest when it comes to his own contributions. When informed he would
be receiving this award, Ben said, “I feel too young for this, like I
haven’t done enough for the sport for long enough. But I am truly
honored that I was nominated and selected.”
Ben does a tremendous job promoting the efforts of wrestlers and deserves recognition of his own.
