Bennett Durando
Sports Editor/Columnist
Bio
Bennett Durando is a national award-winning sports editor and sports columnist for the ECHO. He had written his monthly column, “Bennett from the Bleachers,” for four years.
Durando, a 2016-17 graduate, has attended JournalismSTL’s Spring Conference three times, MIPA’s J-Day at Mizzou once and NSPA’s national convention in Indianapolis once. He attended the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. last summer.
Durando is obsessed with the music of Bruce Springsteen, perfectly fitting the sports writer stereotype.
Awards
Recipient of the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Scholarship, 2016 MO representative at namesake conference in Washington, D.C.
U. S. Basketball Writers Association scholarship
2017 JournalismSTL Bruce Schneider Memorial Leadership Scholarship
2017 Multimedia News Story of the Year Finalist–“Thousands gather for women’s march, rally” — NSPA
2017 CSPA Gold Circle Award–1st place for sport writing in print.
2015 CSPA Gold Circle Award — 1st and 2nd place for sports commentary writing in digital
2015 CSPA Gold Circle Award — 2nd place for sports news writing in print
2014 CSPA Gold Circle Award — 2nd place for sports news writing in print
All Missouri Feature Copy –“Upcoming election inspires students to start political party clubs“– MIPA 2016
Excellent rating for Diversity Awareness — “Students walk out, school canceled in aftermath of Ferguson” — MIPA 2015
Superior Sports Feature Copy –“Teachers live football fantasies through prestigious WGHS league“–JournalismSTL 2016
Honorable Mention News Story –“Driver charged with manslaughter” — MIPA 2016
Honorable Mention Column Writing — “Givens’ goal gives Webster 2nd straight State title” — MIPA 2016
Nominee Feature Story of the Year–“Alumni share their experiences surrounding Wolfe’s resignation“–MJEA 2016
Nominee Art of the Year–“Teachers share their preferred hair of WGHS“–MJEA 2016
Nominee News Story of the Year–“Driver charged with first degree involuntary manslaughter“–MJEA 2016
Nominee Sports Story of the Year–“Givens’ goal gives Webster 2nd straight State title“–MJEA 2016
Quill and Scroll Member.
Letters
Letter to the Editor: Reader supports columnist’s view for intramural sports
Works
State’s Men: Webster wins State title with historic 23-game run
Perkins, Jones wrestle at State with late coach in memory
Webster earns trip to Final Four with rout of CBC
Bennett from the Bleachers: Webster beats CBC 76-57, advances to State semifinals
Bennett from the Bleachers: Jefferson City eliminates Stateswomen
Bennett from the Bleachers: Statesmen defeat Spartans 84-46
Webster gets its District championship in win over Vianney
Webster survives Cor Jesu in instant classic for District championship
Bennett from the Bleachers: Statesmen basketball wins District title over Vianney
Bennett from the Bleachers: Stateswomen win District championship for second straight year
Playoff Preview: The road to State for Webster basketball
Women’s swim team competes at State
Webster gets Blossom back on senior night, holds off Pattonville to clinch conference
Webster survives three-point blitz, takes down Iowa’s top-ranked team
Bennett from the Bleachers: Webster defeats Iowa City West 76-68
Breaking News: Ramey commits to Louisville
Women’s swim dominates at City of Roses
Statesmen dominate in anticipated rematch at SLUH
Webster escapes chaotic last minute for win in Gordon’s debut
Bennett from the Bleachers: With Blossom out, Statesmen turn to Stallcup
Bennett from the Bleachers: Stateswomen basketball reminds us that sports are about more than sports
Bennett from the Bleachers: Reflections on season-opening Webster Classic
After 17-6 loss, Turkey Day may be headed down slippery slope
Kirkwood continues Turkey Day streak
Bennett from the Bleachers: October wouldn’t be the same without Cardinal baseball
Bennett from the Bleachers: Thoughts on D.C. summer journalism conference
Bennett from the Bleachers: 21-10 volleyball goes out in Districts
Bennett from the Bleachers: Ladue beats Webster 28-20
Bennett from the Bleachers: Statesmen football defeats Hazelwood West 42-6
Breaking: Webster-Ritenour postponed for weather
Breaking: Soccer players suspended seven days
Quick Quotes from Free Spirit ’16
Snapshots from downtown, Ferguson protests
Photo of the Week: Protester kneels to send message
‘Black Lives Matter’ protests return to St. Louis after shootings
Bennett from the Bleachers: Stateswomen win Districts in penalty kicks
Breaking News: Automobile accident causes damage to church
Bennett from the Bleachers: Stellar defense propelling 6th-ranked Stateswomen
Teachers share their preferred hair of WGHS
Bennett from the Bleachers: Season to remember for women’s basketball
Bennett from the Bleachers: Francis Howell defeats women’s Varsity 56-50 in State quarterfinal
Bennett from the Bleachers: SLUH defeats men’s basketball in District game 55-39
Bennett from the Bleachers: Clark returns to the court for 100th career win
Bennett from the Bleachers: Women’s Varsity basketball defeats Oakville 54-42
Bennett from the Bleachers: New stars blossom for men’s basketball
Review: Episode 7 awakens memories of original Star Wars
Upcoming election inspires students to start political party clubs
Bennett from the Bleachers: Young Stars lead women’s basketball
Alumni share their experiences surrounding Wolfe’s resignation
Bennett from the Bleachers: Pioneers keep Bell 42-13
Bennett from the Bleachers: Givens’ goal gives Webster second straight State title
Bennett from the Bleachers: Statesmen defeat Crusaders 3-1 in semifinal
Bennett from the Bleachers: Varsity soccer defeats Farmington High School 4-0
Bennett from the Bleachers: For 3-5 Statesmen, What better taste than revenge?
Bennett from the Bleachers: Statesmen Varsity football defeats McCluer 27-7
Teachers live football fantasies through prestigious WGHS league
Columnist looks back at 2014-15 Statesmen sports
Bennett from the Bleachers: Ritenour defeats Statesmen 41-14
Bennett from the Bleachers: Pattonville defeats Webster 40-0
Driver charged with first degree involuntary manslaughter
Bennett from the Bleachers Live: Francis Howell defeats Statesmen 42-0 in season opener
Bennett from the Bleachers: Track teams deliver with medals, records at State
Bennett from the Bleachers: Dominant first half sends women’s soccer to Final Four
Storify: Women’s soccer wins Districts
Bennett from the Bleachers: Women’s soccer nationally ranked, has State title potential
Bennett from the Bleachers: Heartbreaking defeat ends incredible season for men’s basketball
Bennett from the Bleachers: Basketball teams aim for trips to State
Walls speaks about work in Africa
Junior hospitalized after New Year’s Eve Car Crash
Men’s basketball undefeated in Missouri as Blossom goes for wins record
Jazz Band plays in Essentially Ellington Festival
Bennett from the Bleachers: Pioneers shut down Statesmen
Students walk out, school cancelled in aftermath of Ferguson
Pioneers defeat Statesmen 27-6 in Turkey Day game
Webster soccer wins State championship
Storify: Statesmen soccer defeats Smith-Cotton 4-2 in semi-finals
2nd quarter surge, late clock-burning drive fuels District semi win
Bennett from the Bleachers: Soccer leads Fall Sports pack at WGHS
Webster Groves Varsity defeats McCluer North 42-35
Webster soccer defeats St. Mary’s, will go to State quarterfinals
Bennett from the Bleachers: Road to the dome kicks off with Halloween showdown
Statesmen sports set out for State
Bennett from the Bleachers: WGHS should institute intramural sports program
ECHO Newscast: September 12, 2014
Bennett from the Bleachers: Pioneer football to Class 6 endangers Turkey Day
Slideshow: Freshmen focus on leadership skills
Bennett from the Bleachers: Students don’t want brackets busted
Statesmen are State playoff bound
DECA, other groups travel to Big Apple
Op-ed: Students voice opinions on snow day decisions
Barnes & Noble hosts district book fair
New teacher puts ‘Math’ in ‘Mathes’