BENNETT BEACON

DONATE

Greg Batt

by | Feb 17, 2023

Greg Batt was one of the greatest athletes that attended Bennett High School. Most people that saw him play hockey have stated that he was the greatest player they have ever seen.

He attended Bennett for three years before transferring to Nichols School. At Bennett he was All-High in hockey in 1935 and 1 936. He was a halfback on the football team and played third base on the baseball team. At Nichols he was a star in hockey and baseball and is in their Sports Hall Of Fame.

He won a scholarship to Colgate University where he was also a star in hockey and baseball, and was captain of both teams. He played tennis for three years. During 1942 – 1943 as player-coach, he led Colgate to its only undefeated hockey season. He scored 52 of his teams1 16 goals that season, along with 36 assists to propel Colgate to an 1 1 – 0 record, including a 1 3 – 3 victory over Army. While at Colgate he became an All-American, and is in their Sports Hall Of Fame.

Greg had offers in hockey from the Chicago black Hawks when there were only 6 teams in the NHL. He also received an invitation to play on the American Olympic Hockey team, but decided not to accept because of school work. After graduation he joined the U. S. Marines and was in on the invasion of Okinawa during World War II. There he was injured and received the “Purple Heart”.

After the war he returned to Colgate and coached hockey, soccer and tennis, but commuted to Clinton, NY to play center for the Clinton Comets, a professional team in the New York – Ontario Hockey League. He was named All-Star center by the American Hockey Association. He had acquired a legendary reputation on the ice by the time Hamilton College invited him to coach at their school in 1 948. He coached hockey and was backfield coach in football. He coached hockey for 36 years and was elected to be chairman of the rules committee of the American Hockey Coaches association and was formerly Dean of hockey coaches. Hamilton College named their new hockey arena the Perryman-Batt Arena.

Greg had six brothers who attended Bennett H.S. All of them were on sports teams. They are as follows; Dr. Richard Batt ’31 – was on the cross country team and ran the mile in track. Paul Batt ’34 – was on the football and hockey teams. James Batt ’35 – was on the cross country, hockey and tennis teams. Theodore Batt ’37 – cross country team and ran the mile in track. Jerome Batt ’37 – was on the baseball team. He captained the hockey and baseball teams at Cornell University. Dr. David Batt ’43 played baseball and football, and was All-High in baseball in 1 943.

Elmer Rosenthal

Elmer Rosenthal

by | Feb 17, 2023

Elmer Rosenthal, affectionately known as “Rosie” to his legion of students and athletes, came to Buffalo in the 1920’s after attending college in Indiana. He entered Bennett as a young educator, and established a career that spanned from the early 1930’s to 1964. Elmer coached tennis early in his career, then succeeded Lou Montgomery as the Tigers track and Cross Country coach.

A man of superb character and principle, Rosenthal served as an excellent role model for all Bennettonians over the course of his long career. His teams found glory often, and his numerous championship squads of both harrier and thin dads were testimony to his coaching prowess. His less talented teams received the same caring and devoted coaching he gave to his championship teams. Rosie served Bennett well as a teacher, coach and colleague, and will always be remembered favorably by those fortunate enough to have known him.

Steve Poliachik

Steve Poliachik

by | Feb 17, 2023

Steve Poliachik is receiving the Career Achievement Award for tonight’s induction ceremonies. Poliachik has had an outstanding sports career. At Bennett he was involved in coaching Girls softball for 24 years from 1979-1982 compiling 182 wins, Girls basketball for 24 years from 1979-2002 compiling 163 wins and Girls volleyball for 18 years from 1985-2002 compiling 108 wins. In all three sports his teams had multiple invitations to the sectional playoffs.

Poliachik played organized baseball for 45 years in elementary school, Mckinley High School, Jacksonville University and UB. At McKinley he starred in three sports – baseball, football and basketball where he was All High in baseball as a pitcher and in football as a quarterback.

In 1962 he played on the American Legion DelBello team which won the U.S. Championships in Bismarck, North Dakota. Another highlight of his career also occurred in 1962 when he was invited to try out for the New York Yankees. The team felt that he would benefit more by attending Jacksonville University on a baseball scholarship. Shortly after he transferred to UB where he also played baseball.

Other noteworthy feats were pitching batting practice, filming hitters and charting pitchers for the Buffalo Bisons, appearing in a bit part in the movie “The Natural” which was filmed in Buffalo,and pitching batting practice in Old-Timer Games to such players as Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. He is also a member of the WNY Baseball Hall of Fame and Harvard Cup Football Hall of Fame.

Poliachik said, “I greatly appreciate the many awards and achievements that I have been honored with in my life. However, being inducted into the Bennett Sports Hall of Fame is a dream come true. Being involved in coaching at Bennett gave me the chance to be directly involved in coaching my two daughters, Kim and Kristen who are both members of the Bennett High School Sports Hall of Fame. The sacrifice of my wife will never be forgotten. She has always been there for me as I pursued the goals that I wished to attain.’

Jeffrey “Rick’ Mccarley

Jeffrey “Rick’ Mccarley

by | Feb 17, 2023

Jeffrey “Rick” McCarley was a three sport performer at Bennett in the early 60’s. Participating in football, basketball and track, Ricky enters into the Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame as a first team All-High member of both The Buffalo Evening News and the Courier Express 1962 basketball teams. His sterling play at point guard on the hardwood was instrumental at earning All-High honors at that position. As captain of the Bennett team, McCarley possessed quickness, dazzling ball handling skills and scored a team leading 16 points per game average. He was the unquestioned leader of the 9 wins, 2 losses Tiger team in his senior year. His play enabled Bennett to finish among the top schools in pursuit of the Yale Cup.

Rick’s court savvy enabled him to continue to play at the collegiate level after graduating from Bennett. Rick matriculated at Kentucky State University, and had the privilege to play under revered and legendary head coach, Hall of Famer John McClendon Jr. Among the numerous accolades McClendon received were, the first coach to defeat a U.S. Olympic squad with an amateur team, the first African American coach on the professional level, the first coach to win three national championships. McCarley, playing under such a prestigious and caring mentor, helped him form the values that led to a successful life after basketball. McCarley continued to play locally following his collegiate days, including stints on championship teams in MUNY, YMCA and Masten Boys Club squads.

McCarley taught physical education for 32 years at school #53 in Buffalo. Rick and his wife of 48 years, Hattie, raised three children. The McCarley family were also blessed with six grandchildren and one great grandchild. Ricky will be long remembered as a positive influence over countless people that were fortunate enough to know him.

Jeffrey Smith

Jeffrey Smith

by | Feb 17, 2023

Jeff Smith was an all-star athlete while at Bennett and also an all-star student, leading to what we can call a very accomplished all-star career. Athletically Jeff played varsity baseball during the 1979 and 1980 seasons, and was an All-High player on the 1979 and 1980 Bennett hockey squads. Jeff was the team MVP on two division champion hockey teams.

Academically, Jeff was the winner of the Richmond Speaking Contest, captain of the team champion Debate Team of 1979, Chairperson of the National Honor Society in 1980 and selected to the National Society of Distinguished American High School Students. After high school, Jeff graduated from Buffalo State College, Dean’s list, with a B.A. Degree in Social Work.

Jeff’s working career includes many high positions, including Horizon Health Services, Community Support Services with the YMCA, Cradle Beach Children’s Camp, and project coordinator of several drug treatment programs to name a few. He still finds time to work at one of his hobbies, coaching youth athletics.

Jeff’s late wife Karen passed away (way too soon) exactly one year ago to this very day. Jeff is the proud father of two sons, James and William, and four foster daughters. Jeff is especially proud to share this date in loving memory of Karen, with the induction of he and his sister Jennifer into the Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame.