Jack Scherer

Jack Scherer

Jack Scherer was a member if the class of 1948 at Bennett, and spent an additional year as a post graduate in 1949, a common practice during that era. During his athletic career at Bennett in the late 1940’s, Scherer was a 3 sport standout in track, football and basketball. He was a first team All-High twice in track, when he anchored the championship Tiger 880 yard relay teams in 1 948 and 1949. As anchor of this speedy group, Scherer was outstanding. He was also a force in the 220 yard dash, finishing second in the All-High meet three consecutive years. Jack was a major point score for the Tiger track team throughout his career on the cinders.

On the football field in 1948, Jack showed his triple threat versatility, as he ran, threw and punted for the Tigers. He was the swiftest halfback for Coach Fred Braun’s successful gridiron teams of the late 1 940’s. Jack played in the famous Bennett-Kensington football game at Civic Stadium that had a record crowd of 50,988 on October 21, 1948. During the 1948 football season, Scherer’s strength and breakaway speed were valuable assets for the Tigers, as he piled up big yardage from his halfback position. Jack also starred in basketball for Bennett, and was one of the leading scorers on the hardwood for many of the Tigers’ conquests during his junior and senior years.


After his career at Bennett, Jack was drafted into the United States Army. Upon completion of his military services he enrolled at Syracuse University, where he spent 3 years. He transferred to UB and received his B.S. in Accounting, and then completed a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Geneseo State.

He currently resides in Lancaster with his wife, Joyce.

Lee Jones

Lee Jones

Lee came to Bennett in his sophomore year from out of town. He played varsity football, basketball and ran track. Lee played football in 1945,’46 and ’47. In 1947 he was the team’s leading rusher and pass receiver. Lee was All-High Honorable mention in football both in 1 946 and 1 947. Lee played varsity basketball in 1946, ’47 and ’48. In 1948 he was the leading rebounder and second highest scorer for his team. Lee was again All-High Honorable mention for basketball.

Lee was on the varsity track teams of 1 946, ’47 and ’48. In his junior year he finished third in the 440 yard run in the All-High meet. In 1 948 Lee was the All-High 440 yard champion in the All-High meet and tied a city record which stood for many years.


After graduation Lee attended Michigan State University, where he competed in varsity track in 1 950, ’51 and 1 952.

Maurice Maloney

Maurice Maloney

Maurice Maloney, ‘48, competed in his first track competition in the spring of his sophomore year. He won his second race–the half-mile– helping him earn his first Bennett letter. As a junior, age 15, Maurice led Bennett to a Columbia Cup Championship in cross country. He finished second overall in the race–7 seconds faster than the previous course record. His senior year, Maurice ran the mile only once in competition–winning the race at 4:36 and breaking the Bennett record. At the Buffalo All High track meet, he was declared second in the half-mile in a dramatic and disputed finish.

While at Bennett, Maurice also raced with the Buffalo YMCA Track Club. The “Y” team–made up of high school kids–competed in the NAUU CC Championship in Detroit. Racing against 15 colleges, Maurice finished 7th overall, and helped lead the “Y” team to a second place finish behind Michigan State–besting 14 other colleges. He also became Canadian Junior Champion of the half-mile, winning the race 3 tenths of a second off the all-time Canadian record.

Maurice received a scholarship to Michigan State. At MSU, he was Captain and high point man of the Freshman Cross Country and Track Teams, and the only sophomore to make the Cross Country Varsity Team. Competing with 40 colleges at the IC4A CC Championships in New York City, he was the first sophomore to finish the race. His team won the 1949 NCAA Championship. In track, he was a member of MSU’s undefeated 4-mile relay team.

A serious knee injury at the end of his sophomore year ended his running career.