Carved out a career telling Utah's biggest sports stories. Now this reluctant legend is a story of his own

Lee Benson, a longtime Utah sports journalist, is set for induction into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, class of 2026. The announcement follows a decades-long career at the Deseret News, where he became a general columnist in 1997 and previously covered sports as a columnist and Chief Observer. Benson helped document major eras and events including BYU’s quarterback lineage and achievements under LaVell Edwards, the Utah Jazz’s arrival from New Orleans, and landmark moments such as NBA Finals runs, Olympic Games, and a college football championship narrative. The article says Benson covered high school sports beginning in 1972 and college sports for two years before his columnist role. It also cites that he was named Utah Sportswriter of the Year 14 times between 1976 and 1990 and that the Deseret News sent him to major events including 16 Super Bowls and 13 golf majors. His induction will occur on Sept. 14, alongside athletes and creators Shannon Bahrke, Blair Buswell, Cody Jensen, and Ben Kjar.