Bennett Durando–Sports Editor/Columnist

img_8127Bennett 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: Women’s Varsity defeats Fox in Sectional playoffs, sophomore earns 1,000th career point

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: After an unforgettable 20 minutes, men’s soccer earns return trip to State

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

ECHO Newscast: April 10, 2015

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

ECHO Newscast: Jan. 30, 2015

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

Ladue defeats Statesmen 34-28

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

ECHO Newscast: Oct. 2, 2014

Bennett from the Bleachers: WGHS should institute intramural sports program

ECHO Newscast: September 12, 2014

ECHO Newscast April 24, 2014

Bennett from the Bleachers: Pioneer football to Class 6 endangers Turkey Day

Slideshow: Freshmen focus on leadership skills

ECHO Newscast April 10, 2014

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’