“Chip” Motley was a three sport varsity athlete at Bennett. Motley played football in his senior year, and two years of basketball, but his athletic claim to fame was in track and field. Chip ran track all four years of high school, and the Tigers were undefeated “Scalp & Blade” champions all four of those years.
During his track career, Chip competed in the 1 1 0 high hurdles, the 1 00 and 220 yard dashes, 440 yard run, long jump, high jump and the mile relay. Motley turned in outstanding times in the 1 00 yard dash, 1 0.2, long jump 21 ‘5″, and 1 600 m. relay of 3:25.3, a city record at the time. However, his “specialty” became the high jump. Motley was #2 in the city as a sophomore with a jump of 6’2″. As he perfected the “Fosbury Flop” style of jumping, Motley set a city record as a junior with a leap of 6′ 6 1 /4″. In his senior year Motley eclipsed his own record, turning in a 6′ 8″ effort. This made him the All-High and AII-WNY champion. In the State track meet following the season, he repeated his 6’8″ jump, narrowly missing at 6’ 1 0″, to take second place in N.Y.S. Motley was named “Super 7” athlete of the week.
Motley’s track career rose to an even higher level after high school at Erie Community College. He became a Junior College All American. Motley was named ECC’s Athlete of the Year, and is in ECC’s Track Hall of Fame.
Motley presently resides in Buffalo, and is a member of the Buffalo Police Force.