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Vincent “VJ” McCarthy

Vincent “VJ” McCarthy

by | Feb 17, 2023

Vincent McCarthy may go down in Bennett H.S. history as the most prolific swimmer ever. Brother of 2005 Hall Of Fame inductee Kathy McCarthy Grilliot, VJ, Kathy, along with sister Mary Lou and brothers Dave and Dan, the McCarthy’s were known in the 7O’s and early ’80’s as the “first family” of Bennett H.S. swimming. Coached by his father Vince and 2006 Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame inductee Coach Byron L. Vickery, VJ is the most celebrated male swimmer in school history.


In the years 1977 – ’79, no one dominated the Buffalo Public School league like VJ. Totalling 8 All-High medals, VJ was All High as a sophomore in both the Individual Medley and 100 yard Butterfly stroke. In his junior season, VJ captured three All-High medals, defending both of his sophomore titles, and adding the 200 yard Freestyle Relay. For his senior season, VJ once again
gained All-High recognition in the 200 yard Freestyle Relay, Butterfly, and also added a Buffalo City record as a member of the 400 yard Medley Relay.


Following graduation, VJ went on to Buffalo State College and earned a B.A. degree in Political Science. Currently, he is the Assistant Supervisor of pools for the Erie County Parks Dept. VJ is also the assistant head coach for Sweet Home H.S. boys and girls swimming teams. His brother Dan is the head coach. VJ is also the head coach of the Sweet Home Aquatic Swim Club, and the W.N.Y. swimming team that competes every summer in the Empire State Games.

George Lewis, Ill

George Lewis, Ill

by | Feb 17, 2023

This award is given to a deserving athlete that performed at Bennett at a high level in the competitive spirit of the late Earle Hannel, but technically is not eligible for our Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame. In George’s case, he started his secondary academic career at Bennett and was selected to enroll at the new “city honors” wing at Bennett. Three years later City Honors became a high school onto its own, and that is where George actually graduated from.

From the perspective of athletic achievement, George should have been selected much earlier that this. Among his achievements, Lewis was an All-High runner on two undefeated “Columbia Cup” cross country championship teams. In 3 years of varsity track, George ran every event and relay from the 220 yard dash to the 2 mile run. All three Tigers squads were undefeated in “Scalp & Blade” competition. Although All-High in several events, George’s specialty turned out to be the 880 yard run. George was not only All-High, but SectionVI individual champion, and finished 4th in the New York State track meet, winning his heat with an admirable time of 1 :53.1 clocking, a school record. Coach Veronica recalls of George, “the hardest worker in practice that I ever coached in track, bar none”. George Lewis’ success in track was due to his intense preparation and hard work, words that would make Earle Hannel very proud.

Lewis continued his running career at Buffalo State College after high school, and is a long standing employee of Niagara Mohawk (National Grid).

Jeff Arnone

Jeff Arnone

by | Feb 17, 2023

Over Bennett High School’s eighty three year existence, there have been a few student athletes that contributed immediately as freshmen. Of those few, Jeff Arnone certainly stands out. In his first season as a member of the Bennett Tiger baseball team; Jeff started at shortstop, hit several home runs, RBl’s and scored in every game played. His overall performance was a significant contribution to a team that won the 1976 Cornell Cup.

During his sophomore year, Jeff continued to flourish as the starting shortstop for the baseball team and joined the football team as the back up Quarterback. It was during his junior year that Jeff took over the starting position at Quarterback and led the team to its first win of the season, defeating Emerson 12 to 8. The following spring, the third year starter at shortstop was named captain of the baseball team and was selected to the first of three All High Honors (two for baseball, one for football).

Jeff”s senior year was magnificent. In football as the starting quarterback and safety, Jeff led his team to a 5-1 -1 record. In baseball Jeff was part of a memorable season that included a second place finish in the Cornell Cup and an upset victory over three time sectional champion Dunkirk. With the help of his teammates Jeff scored the winning run that sealed the victory and put Bennett High School in its first sectional championship game.

Throughout his entire baseball career, Jeff was solid hitter as well as an excellent defensive player. He continued to play baseball after high school. He was an active participant on both legion and MUNY ball clubs, and played college baseball at Buffalo State; where he was named captain in his final season.

Today Jeff is a twenty year veteran of the Buffalo Fire Department. He is married to his wife of 23 years, RoseMary, and they live in North Buffalo with their three children Jeffrey, Carlie and Tom. Jeff Arnone credits coach Jerry Berkman for teaching him how to be a good sportsman; and for passing on important life skills that he continues to reinforce as a parent, little league coach, and firefighter.

Gary Brown

Gary Brown

by | Feb 17, 2023

Gary was a football and track star at Bennett, achieving All-High recognition in both sports. Gary was a two-way tackle all four years in high school, playing at 6’2″ and 265 lbs. Gary achieved 1 st team All-High status in football his sophomore, junior, and senior years.


In track, Gary finished his high school career as the city record holder in both the shot put and discus. Gary’s record shot put of 53′ ?” came in a meet at Sweet Home in his senior year. In that same meet, Gary threw the discus 1 36′ 9″, also an all-time city record. That throw placed Gary in the top 5 in W.N.Y. in an event the Buffalo Public Schools didn’t even have in its track program. The Tigers won the “Scalp & Blade” trophy all three years of Gary’s varsity career.


At graduation, Gary also won the “Fred Braun Award” for being selected the top male athlete in his senior dass, and the “Sherman Feyler Award” for scholarship and citizenship.

Upon graduation from Bennett, Gary enrolled at the University of Buffalo, where he played four years of varsity football. The awards kept right on coming, as Gary was selected AII-ECAC (03) in 1 982 for U.B. Gary resides in the City of Buffalo today.

Peter Gunn

Peter Gunn

by | Feb 17, 2023

Peter Gunn was Second Team All High in baseball in 1978 and 1st Team all High in 1979. He was a four year pitcher/first baseman for the Bennett High School Tigers. During his senior year the Bennett team had an outstanding record of 11-3. The team went on to their finest post season Sectional success in the school’s history as they won their first two sectional games against (JFK 9-4) and Dunkirk (1-0) with Peter being the winning pitcher in both games. In the Class BB Championship game against Trott Vocational, the Tigers lost 3-0 with Peter once again pitching in that game. It was his third time that week Bennett came up just short of the Sectional title. For the 1979 season Peter was the winning pitcher of record for seven of their 11 victories. At the conclusion of the season he was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. Due to his outstanding senior season Gunn was offered a professional baseball tryout from the Los Angeles Dodgers by pro baseball scout Bob Miske. Unfortunately, due to a very important personal obligation Gunn couldn’t make the tryout. He continued to play amateur baseball locally for a number of years.