By Gary Abbott
USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender has received the respected Stephen D. Ducoff Leadership Award as presented by ACES, the Association of Chief Executives of Sport.

The Stephen D. Ducoff Leadership Award is given periodically to an ACES Member who has made significant contributions to the organization and its members over time.  The award is in honor of Ducoff, the ACES co-founder, who served as CEO of ACES from 2007 until his passing in 2017.

Rich Bender has been Executive Director of USA Wrestling since 2000, leading one of the most successful National Governing Bodies of Olympic sport through six Olympic quadrenniums, with a focus on the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics . He is one of the longest serving CEOs in the history of the Olympic family, and is the longest serving Executive Director in USA Wrestling history.

From 2010-2016, Bender was elected chairman of U.S. Olympic Committee’s National Governing Body Council, representing over 13,000,000 members from all of the NGBs affiliated with the U.S. Olympic movement. Bender was also elected in 2019 to serve as a USOPC Board Member representing the NGB Council, a position he still holds.

Bender received the award during the ACES Conference in Huntsville, Alabama on October 15.

“It was my honor to present the 2024 award to Rich Bender at the ACES Conference, on behalf of the ACES Board and our members. His wide-ranging positive impact on the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and the sport of wrestling cannot be overstated,” said Rick Mack, ACES Chief Executive Officer.

The inscription on the award said “Rich Bender, Honoring His Extraordinary Contributions to the ACES Family.”

Bender leads USA Wrestling, which has seen substantial growth in membership, as well as sustained competitive excellence at the Olympic Games and World Championships. During his tenure, USA Wrestling has enhanced its strong financial position. He has expanded support and opportunities for wrestlers, in terms of increased pay, an athlete appearance program, Olympic and World medal performance bonuses, and an expanded voice for athletes at all levels of the organization. He takes pride in his role in developing USA Wrestling’s successful women’s wrestling program, which has become one of the fastest growing sports for women at all levels.

Bender serves on the Technical Commission for United World Wrestling, which has been credited with making some of the most substantial rule improvements and referee accountability measures in the history of the sport.

Bender began his career at USA Wrestling as a U.S. Olympic Committee intern in 1988 and became a full-time employee in 1989 as events assistant. Bender was named National Events Director in 1989, managing regional, national and international events.

He served as Competition Manager at the 1996 Olympic Games, organizing a staff which presented one of the best Olympic wrestling competitions in history.

He was promoted to Associate Executive Director of Programs, overseeing events, national teams and developmental programs until being named Executive Director.

About the Association of Chief Executives of Sport (ACES)

The mission of ACES is to support and enhance the business interests of non-profit member sport organizations, share best practices, promote professional development and formulate a collective voice on common issues.