Bert played football, basketball and track at Bennett in the mid 1 980’s. Bert’s best sport was football, although he was videotaped for college recruiting purposes, running a 4.9 second 40 yard dash and dunking a basketball. This is no small feat for a 6’3″, 285 lb. tackle/shotputter.
In football, Bert was a four year varsity player, All-High his junior and senior year, and second team all WNY his senior year. Bert led Bennett to the Harvard Cup in 1 985. He was then selected to play in the all-WNY Lions Club All-Star football game in the summer of ’86, and was presented the MVP award as the game’s outstanding player.
In track, Stevenson was a four year starter in the shot put, ran an occasional leg in a relay, and threw the discus in non-city meets. Bennett went undefeated in all four of his years in track and field, and to this day Bert still holds the city shot put record of 53’5″. Bert played varsity basketball in his junior and senior years, and was the starting center in his senior year.
After graduation from Bennett, Bert attended Kentucky State on a football scholarship. After one season he was recruited by Division I Temple University. His promising college career was cut short by a serious eye injury. However, he will always be remembered for the incredible agility and speed that he possessed for a man of his size.
Stevenson is currently employed as an administrator in the Buffalo school system.