In a neatly organized office in the Writing Center, there is a man you would never expect to find there. This office is filled by Colby Benefield, the assistant athletic director for compliance, not the director of the Writing Center, an English professor or someone you go to for help on a paper — though he will likely still try to help you if you ask.
When Benefield graduated from Union University in 2014, his plan was far from having an office in the Writing Center. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in history and psychology, he had a goal of becoming a special agent in law enforcement. Instead, the Lord brought him back to Union to work in the admissions office for 7.5 years before moving to his current position in athletic compliance.
“When I graduated from Union, I was super sad,” Benefield said. “I really grew into an adult at Union. That’s the amazing thing about college, you get to really figure who you truly are. So, when I was leaving Union, on the morning of graduation, I cried.”
During his time at Union, Benefield was involved in Union’s chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha, competed in every intramural sport, served in the Student Government Association and represented Union at events like the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature where he won an award for his speech and debate skills. He loved, and still loves, playing all sorts of games and participating in anything with even a spark of competition.
“Anything I can do that’s competitive, I have to be the best at,” Benefield said, a grin stretching across his face.
In his love of people and competition, he grew to love Union and feel at home here during his time as an undergraduate. He loved being around his friends and within walking distance of the people he spent the most time with. After a summer internship, he decided to come back to Union to work in the admissions office.
In the admissions office, he spent a lot of time pouring into those around him. Benefield was the athletics liaison, so he played a large part in recruiting athletes and leading them through the paperwork. His role gave him a space to help students have the same experience he had at Union.
“I wanted to be back because I remembered how formative that time was for me as a college student,” Benefield said. “I decided to come back and help other students to have that experience.”
This school year, however, Benefield moved from admissions to athletics. While in admissions, he served on a committee for athletic compliance, so he decided to apply for that position when it opened up.
Upon starting this new position in a new office, his interaction level with friends, coworkers and students decreased. Originally, his office was rather hidden and away from the students he loves to pour into. Thankfully, President Dub Oliver offered him the space he is now in, where students are always nearby. Here, he gets to interact with a variety of students, and he also enjoys hearing the rush of students in the hallway going to chapel, reminding him to go as well.
However, there are downsides to this new role. While he is thankfully still around students, he no longer is right by his coworkers.
“I was able to mentor and lead the other counselors,” Benefield said. “I still have that some with the coaches, but I have to walk down and seek that out. I’m not super intentional, so it’s kind of been difficult.”
Tommy Sadler, Union’s director of athletics, appreciates Benefield’s efforts to stay connected with the coaches despite their offices being spread across campus.
“He is great to work with,” Sadler said. “First and foremost, he is a Godly man. Second, he does a great job of communicating not only with me but our entire coaching staff.”
Benefield, reflecting on his work ethic, is thankful for how the admissions office shaped him. His efficient work and strong communication were aided by the pressing, constant task of recruiting and aiding student athletes.
“There was always a pressing task with helping students,” Benefield said. “With compliance, things aren’t super pressing. They just kind of have to be done. I’ve already finished all the tasks for January. The other people in the conference are like, ‘I’m drowning here. I have too much work,’ but I know how to work efficiently and quickly from working in admissions. It really prepared me to do this job well.”
Benefield works hard at Union, but his service does not stop when he walks out of the office every day. His servant heart and strong work ethic are seen in both his work here and his service at West Jackson Baptist Church, where he serves as a 10th grade boys small group leader.
West Jackson has been blessed by Benefield’s leadership, and he in turn has been blessed. While teaching there, he met Mandy Wilson, the student girls minister of West Jackson. On Feb. 4 of this year, they are getting married, so make sure to send congratulations their way.
As his life changes now, Benefield is not sure where his next steps will be when he eventually moves on from his job, but he does not plan on leaving higher education anytime soon.
“It’s important in a post-Christian world to have Christian education leadership,” Benefield said. “Some people tell me that I need to hire them when I become a college president.”
Photo by Laila Al-Hagal
