athletic conference • Karl Benson announced that he is leaving his post as commissioner of the Western Athletic Conference for the same job in the Sun Belt Conference. The change takes effect April 1.

Benson had been with the WAC nearly 18 years. He replaces Wright Waters, who announced his retirement last fall.

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"It has been a privilege to serve the WAC and to share in the many successes of our member schools and student-athletes over the past 18 years," Benson said. "I am confident that the 10-member WAC that will be in place on July 1, 2012 will provide the foundation that will allow the WAC to continue as one of the outstanding athletic conferences in the country."

Benson replaced Joe Kearney as WAC commissioner in 1994.

"The Board thanks him for his years of service to the conference and wishes him well in this position with the Sun Belt," New Mexico State President and WAC Chairwoman Barbara Couture said, adding that a committee will be formed in the next few weeks to begin the process of finding Benson’s replacement.

"We will be looking for leadership that will continue to positively position the WAC as one of the nation’s top conferences both academically and athletically in this time of conference realignment," said Couture.

Monfils withdraws from Memphis

Tennis • Gael Monfils has withdrawn from the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, Tenn., because of a right knee inflammation.

The Frenchman was scheduled to play in the feature first-round match on Tuesday. Tournament organizers announced Thursday that Monfils’ match will be replaced by John Isner’s first-round match.

• Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka defeated Simona Halep of Romania 6-3, 6-1 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open.

From staff, wire reports