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Nicholas “Nick” Costantino

Nicholas “Nick” Costantino

by | Feb 17, 2023

Nicholas C. Costantino, this year’s recipient of the Earle Y. Hannel Award, graduated from Bennett in 1962 and was awarded his Bachelor’s Degree from U.B. in 1967. Nick cherished the education he received from BHS, weaing our orange tiger logo in his lapel at all times. Football was his chosen sport and he played for the Tigers from 1959-1961. During his undergraduate years at U.B., Nick, the passionate football player, was a defensive end for the Lackawanna Lancers semi-professional football team.

Upon graduation from U.B., Nick entered the John Marshall Law School in Chicago and received his law degree in 1971. In his final year of law school, he taught science in a Chicago inner-city middle school.

Upon returning to Western New York, Nick began to work in the Erie County D.A.’s office in 1974 and was chief of the Major Violent Offense Bureau until 1985 when he ran for mayor of the city. He then entered private practice and, for more than 30 years, his office was located down the street from Bennett at Main and Fillmore. During this time, Nick was involved in the Butler Mitchell alumni, supporting youth activities on the West Side.

Along with being an honorary football coach for the Bennett Tigers under head coach Steve McDuffie, Nick was most active as a Board Member in our Alumni Association. He was a loyal Sports Hall of Fame Committee member and a valued participant on Bennett’s Redesign Team, which formed in 2014. His family stated, “Nick worked passionately with others to keep Bennett High open when it was in jeopardy of closing”. Nick also worked very hard to develop a weight room adjacent to the Gym so our students could properly exercise with modern equipment that was not present before its inception.

Nick’s wife Karen, daughter Nicole, sons Justin, Andrew, Eric and Nicholas, his 20 grandchildren and one great grandchild are extremely proud of Nick receiving this prestigious award posthumously.

And, on behalf of the entire Bennett Alumni Association family, we will miss you, Nick.

H. David Jay

H. David Jay

by | Feb 17, 2023

David Jay, affectionately known as “Duke” or “Uncle Dave”, has had a life long connection with sports. Like Earle Hannel himself, Dave played varsity baseball at Bennett, helping the Tigers win three consecutive Cornell Cups in 1955, ‘56 and ‘57. Both men also stayed loyal to Bennett forever, and never missed a chance to boost the city or our sports teams.

From Bennett, Dave attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where he played varsity baseball and basketball, and coached the bowling team at Pratt. Dave graduated with a degree in Architecture. During and after Dave’s time in the U.S. Service, Dave continued his lifetime connection with sports, playing service baseball,refereeing soccer. Dave then spent 18 years as a youth baseball coach in the Virginia area, becoming Virginia State Asst. Commissioner of the Babe Ruth Leagues from 2004 to 2013.

Uncle Dave, now 75 years old, still works today, and can be found any Sunday there is a Bills game on TV at Grevey’s Restaurant in Falls Creek, VA. Dave always makes Bills and sabre games along with “Buffalo Night” a major event in the D.C. area.

Today, Dave ( a widower for 13 years ) resides in Ashburn, VA and enjoys spending time with his 3 children, 2 step daughters and 2 Grandchildren.

Tom Cechini

Tom Cechini

by | Feb 17, 2023

Tom Cechini participated in football, basketball, and track at Bennett. He played full back and was second team All High in his senior year in both the Buffalo News and Courier Express. He was also the team captain in both 1955 and 1956. In addition to football he was second team All High in the 220 hurdles in track. For good measure he added summer baseball and rowing to his repertoire. After graduation from Bennett he was granted a full scholarship to Division III Alfred University and played 60 minutes of every game he participated in under legendary Alfred coach Alex Yunevich. On offense he played in the backfield and as a wide receiver. On defense he played as a defensive end. He also held the school record for many years in track in the 110 high hurdles Perhaps, Cechini’s greatest accomplishment was being named All American by Look Magazine as a first team All East end in Division III.

A freak accident while he was hunting after college (a shot in the knee) terminated his college athletic career. Being an avid skier in high school Cechini adapted his skiing style to accommodate his stiff right knee. His wife Marlene, son Tom, and 3 grand children are all exceptional skiers. For many years Cechini was a financial planner.

Joseph Voskerichian

Joseph Voskerichian

by | Feb 17, 2023

Joey Voskerichian appears to be the ideal person to be receiving the E.Y.Hannel Memorial Award. Like Earle, Joey has a backround in athletics at Bennett, playing varsity baseball and football, and continued his career in the business world with involvement in sports and charity work. Voskerichian is a University of Buffalo graduate and a Korean War veteran. His work history includes the Tampa, FL Police Department and a banking executive. Voskerichian retired in 2000 as a senior vice president of Bank of America. He also served on numerous boards of directors.

Voskerichian’s sports backround beyond Bennett H.S. includes varsity baseball and football at the University of Buffalo and service ball, coaching at the Jr. and Sr. high school level and officiating H.S. and college baseball and basketball. Voskerichian received the “Outstanding Citizen Award” from the Tampa Sports Foundation. His activities include chairman of the Special Olympics at USF, the World Championship Boxing Challenge, and involvement with the late George Steinbrenner’s “Gold Shield Foundation”, which provides financial assistance to families of law enforcement and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

Joey Voskerichian joins his brother George as a member of the Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame.

Dennis Schoen

Dennis Schoen

by | Feb 17, 2023

Dennis Schoen, a 1957 graduate of Bennett H.S., played four years of football at Bennett. The 1956 edition of Tiger football claimed a tie for the League II crown when they defeated previously undefeated and defending champion East, 6 – 0. Schoen sparkled in this showdown game by rushing for 72 yards on 10 carries, for an outstanding 7.2 yards per attempt. Showing his versatility in the Kensington game, Dennis caught a 75 yard touchdown pass from Billy Hedger. It turned out to be the lone score against the arch rival Knights. After East claimed revenge against the Tigers in a special playoff game, Bennett qualified for the 3rd place game on Thanksgiving Day. Schoen and his teammates went out as winners in their final game of the year, as they edged McKinley 9 – 6 on the gridiron of venerable All-High Stadium. In addition to his football exploits, Schoen continued on his path to future leadership by serving as varsity basketball manager during his junior year.

Upon graduation from Bennett, Schoen attended Western Kentucky University and attained a B.S. degree. After college, he married and began an illustrious service career in the United States Marines. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was stationed at various posts in the USA that included Camp Lejeune, NC; Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA; OIC Recruiting Station, Minneapolis, MN; Fort Benning, GA; Quantico, VA; Headquarters Marine Corps, Arlinton, VA and on the Navy staff at the Pentagon. Overseas, numerous assignments took him to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Phillipines, Okinawa, and the Republic of Vietnam. During his service in Vietnam, Schoen participated in 7 combat operations against Communist Insurgents and North Vietnamese Regular Army Forces in the I Corps Tactical Zone of RVN. Schoen is a graduate of the Marine Corps Basic School, the Advanced Infantry Course, Fort Benning, GA, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, as well as several other military schools that include Nuclear Weapons Course. In 1977, Schoen received an MA degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University. His list of military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, the RVN
Unit Gallantry Cross, and the RVN Campaign Medal. Schoen retired after 20 years of service at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Schoen and his wife Susie will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 2, 2012. They have a son Craig ( Suzy ), and a daughter Michele ( Michael ), and four beautiful granddaughters, Samantha,Jayme, Madison and Gabriella.

All Bennettonians, past and present are indebted to Dennis Schoen, for his service to our country.