Introduction

Full of Hope – 7th Grade

Front L-R: Bobby Lauck, Garry Clute, Kent Williams, Toby Bottom, Keith Morris, Wes Waggoner, John Bailey, Bruce Hardy; Back L-R: Dave Martin, Jon Cunningham, Greg Storm, Jim Boyer, Tracy Prigg, Rod Sentlinger, Jim Byrd, Sam Starkey

As they started their basketball career in the 7th grade each one of them was full of hope. Hope to be basketball stars, hope to make the winning basket, and hope to catch the eyes of the cheerleaders and pep squad. Coach Coleman did a great job of teaching them the basics of basketball, the importance of teamwork, and if nothing else they learned how to jump rope. With winning more than they lost they were excited about the way their basketball careers had started. But then came the 8th grade season.

Birth of the Benchies – 8th Grade

Front L-R: Bruce Hardy, Jon Cunningham, Norman West, Greg Storm, Bobby Lauck, Sam Starkey
Middle L-R: Tracy Prigg, John Bailey, Kent Williams, Jim Byrd, Garry Clute, Rod Sentlinger
Back L-R: Lloyd Walker, John Wynne, Keith Morris, Wes Waggoner, Toby Bottom, Wade Stefka-mgr

For eight young men their hopes were dashed. Hopes of becoming a basketball star and catching the eyes of the cheerleaders and pep squad were gone. Ok, nothing could dash the hopes of catching the eyes of the young ladies. But out of the ashes of their dashed dreams rose the creation of the Benchies. Forced to ride the pine for most of the season the Benchies were committed to make the most out of their time on the bench. Keeping a watchful eye on the cheerleaders, having bubble gum blowing contests, and making symphonic noises with their armpits filled most of their time on the bench. The dream of actually getting to play was eventually replaced by the dream of winning the Benchie of the Year award.

Knowing that the actions of the Benchies would somehow change the world we live in, two of the Benchies had the foresight to put down on paper the antics of their fellow bench partners. And with that, Greg Storm and Jon Cunningham created The Bench.

"The Bench" features ten chapters covering basketball games from the 1972 season at Webb City Junior High. Following each chapter are “Comments of the Game” from each of the eight Benchies. Comments that are full of insight and wisdom that would baffle the minds of today’s scholars.

Thirty-eight years after the completion of The Bench, Jon Cunningham has started writing a new book, "Back on the Bench". The second book looks back once again at the perils of the Benchies during that eventful basketball season and continues on with some of the wild shenanigans (Anus Races, Burning Bag of Cow Cookies, etc) as the Benchies continue on through their High School years. The book also takes a look at the wonders of growing up in small town America better known as Webb City, Missouri. And finally the Back on the Bench book brings you up to date with the lives of the Benchies of today.

For your reading enjoyment we hope you will take time to click on "The Bench" and then be sure and check out the Meet the Benchies section on this web site for more photos and a closer look at your favorite bench warmer.

And now the first three chapters of the new "Back on the Bench" book are availible only on this website. Here is your chance to see how the Benchie story continues.

Benchies Today



Front Row: Bruce Hardy, Dave Martin
Back Row: Bobby Lauck, Jon Cunningham, Norman West, Jim Byrd


In the Fall of 2010 during a Class Reunion six of the nine Benchies were reunited once again. Big Foot had been spotted more times than Bruce Hardy over the past 30+ years so it was great getting to see him. It would have been cool to have all nine Benchies together but it was rumored some of them due to legal issues still can’t cross state lines. So what happens when you get a bunch of Benchies together? Same as always, they sat around and cracked jokes. Well, they also snacked on candy bars they had stuffed in their socks.

CLICK HERE if you would like to see some of the other pictures from our class reunion.