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Gerald Berkman

Gerald Berkman

by | Feb 17, 2023

Jerry came to Bennett in 1964 replacing a legend, Elmer Rosenthal. Jerry taught physical education and health, and kept busy coaching three sports a year. In the fall season, Jerry coached cross country, was an assistant football coach and head football coach from 1971 until his retirement.

In the winter season, Jerry coached either boys basketball, girls basketball, swimming or bowling. The spring season saw Jerry coach track and field or baseball. Jerry experienced championship teams in football(1 ), track and field(3), but his biggest success came in baseball. Jerry guided Tiger teams to Cornell Cups in ’74,’76,’81,’82 and ’85, not a big surprise since Jerry himself signed a pro baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies right out of Burgard HS. Jerry’s career was defined with the high moral and ethical standards he set for his athletes, and the sense of humor he brought to work everyday.

Best wishes for a long happy retirement in Leesburg, Florida, where Jerry still plays softball today.

Jennie Brummer

Jennie Brummer

by | Feb 17, 2023

Jennie was selected for our 2nd Annual “Earle Y. Hannel Memorial Award” for two reasons. Jennie spent a long teaching career at Bennett and exhibited high-spirited support for all our athletic teams and athletes. We could always count on Jennie being at a game, especially football, basketball and baseball, lending her ever present vocal support to the Tigers. Jennie also helped the coaches by driving athletes to games, arranging special event celebrations and coming to out of town contests. Jennie also helped the athletic programs by collecting and “talking” to athletes who sometimes veered off course a little.

Also, it was Jennie’s vision of a Bennett Sports Hall of Fame that has brought us all together these past five years. After attending a similar function at Canisius HS, Jennie thought “why not Bennett”. She met with a few prominent alumni at school, Earle Hannel one of them, and the rest as they say, is history.

Coaches especially thank Jennie for all she did for the athletes and athletic programs at Bennett HS over the years.

John Thomas

John Thomas

by | Feb 17, 2023

John came to Bennett as a sophomore, and immediately became a star in basketball. As the starting point guard John was named 1st team all-high in both his junior and senior years. In 1989 John also was named 1st team all-WNY in basketball, More important to John, the Tiger basketball squad went undefeated in “Yale Cup” action during the ’86/’87 season, capturing the cup with a won 13 lost 0 record. The Tigers defeated Newark HS in the far west regional, before losing their first game at the state championship at Glens Falls, NY, finishing with a 22 win 1 loss record, ranked 7th in NYS. John
finished his three year career at Bennett with over 1,015 points.

John attended Samford U. (AL) on a basketball scholarship. John’s work with the 4/11 charity brings him back to Buffalo every summer to promote a Yale Cup alumni basketball exhibition.

Myron Hunt

Myron Hunt

by | Feb 17, 2023

Myron Hunt was on the finest all-round Bennett athletes of his time. He played baseball, basketball and football.

He was on the baseball team for four years and was on the undisputed first Cornell Cup Championship team in 1943. Myron was the Co-captain of the 1944 team and was on the All-High team as an outfielder. He had a batting average of .450 that year and played in the longest high school game on record, beating Kensington High School in 17 innings. Myron was on the basketball team for four years and was a member of the first Yale Cup Championship team in 1944. That year, the Bennett High School team was selected as the second All-High Team. That was the first time that this has ever occurred. He was on he football team for two years and played center and linebacker. In 1943, his team played the consolation game on Thanksgiving and had a record of six wins and one loss.

He was the class Historian for his senior class and appeared in the Spotlight section of the Bennett Beacon as one of the outstanding graduates of this class. After graduation in 1944, he was inducted into the US Army for 2 years. After the war, he spent one year at Nichols School and played football, basketball and baseball. They had an undefeated football team and were the Interstate League Champions. Myron played center and linebacker. From Nichols, he went to Middlebury College in Vermont. He played football and baseball and was chosen All State in Vermont in baseball. He was a member of the Blue Key Honor Society.

For the past 45 plus years, Myron has been president of Myron M. Hunt, Inc., a real estate development company.

Paul Emerick

Paul Emerick

by | Feb 17, 2023

Paul Emerick was a baseball standout and basketball player at Bennett in the 1950’s. He was, arguably, one of the best right handed pitchers ever to represent the ngers in the long baseball history of Bennett High School. His superb fast ball and curve, as well as his outstanding control, enabled Bennett to capture the Cornell Cup during his junior year. The Tigers also won the Cornell Cup during his sophomore season. He was named to the All-High first team as a pitcher during his senior year at Bennett.

Paul enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Bennett. While serving in “Special Services” in the Philippines, Paul was a star pitcher, as he competed against the top teams in the Far East. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he signed a professional baseball contract with the Kansas City Athletics organization. He was assigned to the Daytona Islanders of the Florida State League in 1963, and was slated to move to AAA Albuquerque the next year, when a serious rotator cuff surgery ended his pitching career.


Paul retired after a long career in the New York State Correctional System, and currently resides with his wife in North Tonawanda.