Well-known local sports columnist Bill Benner is leaving his job as director of communications for the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association to become senior associate commissioner for external affairs for the Horizon League, the college athletic conference announced Tuesday morning.

Benner starts the new position July 1.

"Bill is widely respected and brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the Horizon League," said Horizon League Commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone in a prepared statement. "In a rapidly evolving world of communications across multiple platforms, we are counting on Bill to help articulate and deliver the many positive messages of intercollegiate athletics in general and Horizon League student-athletes in particular."

Benner was as a sportwriter and columnist for The Indianapolis Star from 1969 to 2001. He worked for the Indiana Sports Corp. from 2001 to 2005 before moving to the ICVA. Benner also writes a weekly sports column for IBJ.

Butler University, Cleveland State University, the University of Detroit Mercy, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Valparaiso University, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wright State University and Youngstown State University play in the Horizon League.