Ben Arnet, KOMU 8 sports director, passes away at 43

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

KOMU 8 announced Sports Director Ben Arnet, 43, passed away on Thursday.

Arnet was a Columbia native, graduated from Hickman High School and graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism where he later became an instructor and the Sports Director for KOMU 8 for five years.

In 2004, Arnet moved to Tucson, AZ and would later work covering sports in Wichita, KS and Buffalo, NY.

In 2011, Arnet moved back to Columbia and helped Mizzou Athletics launch Mizzou Network.

In 2014, Arnet started doing play by play for SEC Network Plus. He also hosted "This Week in Mizzou Football” and “This Week in Mizzou Basketball” on KOMU 8 and Fox Sports Midwest from 2014 to 2018.

Arnet leaves behind his wife and daughter. Our hearts go out to KOMU 8 and Arnet's family as they go through this difficult time.