BENNETT BEACON

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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.

Paul Hennessey

Paul Hennessey

by | Feb 17, 2023

Paul starred for Bennett in the mid 50’s after transferring from St. Joe’s in 1955. Paul quickly assimilated into the Bennett mainstream as a student-athlete, finding his niche on the gridiron and baseball diamond. /ls a catcher in baseball, he played on Bennett’s undefeated Cornell Cup championship team of 1957. Paul was a strong armed right handed thrower, and a left handed hitter. Paul was a mainstay on that club. In 1958, his senior year, Paul hit .467, and was named the All High catcher on another winning Bennett baseball squad. Over the two year period of his junior and senior year, Paul failed to hit safely in only one game.


In football, Paul played on the offensive line for the Tigers, and doubled as a kicking specialist. In 1958 Paul represented Bennett in the All-Star football game at Civic Stadium. That game pitted the city all-stars against the county all-stars.


Following his high school career, Paul served in the U.S. Army and played ball for the VII Corps Jayhawks. Paul now resides in Cheektowaga, and is a retired U.S. Postal employee.

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.