Jill (Evans) Benham was the epitome of what Canisius College student-athletes should be.  Not only did she excel at her sport, but she received many academic honors as well.  In the pool, she was one of the original members of the Golden Griffin synchronized swimming team.  Not only recognized by her teammates as a captain and MVP, but she received All-American status as well.  Academically, Jill graduated Cum Laude with a dual major in marketing and management, and received a Management Academic Excellence Award.  Currently, Jill is married with three children and works for Sterling Sommer, Inc., as a customer representative and service manager.  This Sunday, she will be honored once again by the College, as she becomes the first synchronized swimmer to be inducted into the Canisius Sports Hall of Fame.

Russ Burton: Do you remember what went through your mind when you heard that the synchro program at Canisius was moving up to the varsity level?
Jill Benham: I was thrilled that it happened during my four years at Canisius. That was always the goal.

RB: What was it like to finish fifth as a soloist in the National Championships in year freshman year?
JB: The whole experience of that first National Championship was wonderful. It was the first time we were able to see what Collegiate Synchronized Swimming was like on a national level.

RB: What was it like getting as close as being a finalist at the US Olympic Trials?
JB: The US Olympic Trials was like nothing else I had experienced as a synchronized swimmer. I was not in the top rung of competitors, but I was there and very proud to represent Canisius College.

RB: What was a more meaningful accomplishment: being named as an All-American or your academic achievements?
JB: The thing that is most meaningful is that I was able to do both at the same time, and that Canisius provided me whith that opportunity. Canisius offered and top notch education and was supportive of the development of the synchro team.

RB: Is there any routine that you participated in (team, trio, duet or solo) that stands out to you?
JB: I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in each event at one time or another, and I felt differently about each. I loved the ability to have individual expression in a solo and highlight my personal strength. I really appreciated trying to take “two” and become “one” in a duet. I probably had the most fun with the trio event, since I was able to swim with Karin & Kristin Graham and be part of one of their always unique and energetic routines. The team event was the culmination of everything and it's when you felt the most school spirit.

RB: In your senior year, you finished second in the solo competition at nationals, an impressive feat, do you still remember the girl that came in first, or her routine?
JB: The special thing about that Collegiate Nationals is that they were here in our hometown. It was amazing to have that kind of finish in front of my family and friends. The girl that finished first was a Buffalo native as well, so I felt great that she was able to perform so well in front of a hometown crowd as well.

RB: You have three children now, have you gently nudged them in the direction of synchro?
JB: My six-year old daughter has expressed interest in synchro, so we are working on her strokes. We will be contacting the Tonawanda Aquettes when she is ready.

RB: When synchro started at Canisius, would you have believed that it would still be going strong after 17 years?
JB: I believed the college's support was there to give the program this kind of longevity. I'm just thrilled that it has grown to this degree. Jill Wright is doing an amazing job of continuing what her mother Joanne Wright had always done so well, motivating the student-athletes and enhancing there strength through incredibly creative routines, and all based on strong fundamental skills.

RB: What are your feelings about being inducted into the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame?
JB: Blessed by the support that I received from my parents and coaches. They gave me the opportunity to focus on my academics and the sport I love. This is such an honor.

Russ Burton is currently the Morning Show Producer/Buffalo Bills Gameday Producer for WGRF-97 Rock in Buffalo. He graduated from Canisius in 1998 and is working toward his master's degree in sport administration at the College.