James Benjamin came to UB for academics initially. But when John Stutzman came into the picture, Benjamin decided to wrestle.

UB wrestling head coach John Stutzman used to coach at Bloomsburg University before he came to UB. At the time, he was trying to recruit Benjamin, a senior 197-pounder, to Bloomsburg. However, Benjamin didn't like the school. After Stutzman came to UB, Benjamin decided to wrestle for him.