Ben Duell graduated from Goodland High School in Kansas in 1948 and went on to obtain is BS in Agriculture (1952) and his Master's Degree in Administration (1963) from Kansas State University. Besides coaching, he has worked several years as a farm owner and operator. He became the head wrestling coach at Burlington High School in 1963 and coached the Cougars for 16 years with 11 winning at least one title. His teams won two state championships and finished second, third and fourth three times. Ironically, he never lived in Burlington, but drove back-and-fourth every day from Goodland, KS, after being hired as the head coach. His son, Doug, was the first fourtime state champion in Kansas history. He was named the Colorado Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1971, 1973 and 1974. When not on the mat, he is certainly close by and has been a radio wrestling broadcaster for 40 years. His main station is KLOE in Goodland, Kansas. His first wife, Evelyn, passed away in 2004 and he is presently married to Barbara Duell. His family has included 15 children, four step children, 49 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, eight step grandchildren and one step-great grandchild.