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.

Art “Buzz” Serotte

Art “Buzz” Serotte

by | Feb 17, 2023

Art “Buzz” Serotte graduated from Bennett in 1957. After matriculating at the University of Buffalo, he became a Physical Education Teacher and coach in the Buffalo Public School System. During his illustrious 35 year career, Serotte made his mark by coaching football and basketball at Grover Cleveland H.S. His football teams captured 12 Harvard Cips, and shared another in 15 title game appearances. Art’s 1 60 – 52 – 5 won/lost career record is one of Western New York’s all-time best. In basketball, Grover won 5 Yale Cups, and 7 Section VI Class titles under his tutelage. He also coached cross country and track at various stages during his coaching tenure at Grover.


During Serotte’s high school days at Bennett, he stood out as a football lineman.He was named All-High by the Buffalo Evening News in his senior year. Serotte helped lead the Tiger gridiron forces to a won 6, lost 2 record, and a 9-6 Harvard Cup Consolation Game victory over McKinley in 1956, for third place. For his outstanding play during the season, he was named to the Buffalo Ad Club’s All-Star game, pitting the Buffalo Public School representatives against a team picked from the Erie County Conference and the Niagara Frontier League.


Art also played basketball at Bennett and was a member of the 1957 Yale Cup Championship team during his senior year.

Lee Jones

Lee Jones

by | Feb 17, 2023

Lee came to Bennett in his sophomore year from out of town. He played varsity football, basketball and ran track. Lee played football in 1945,’46 and ’47. In 1947 he was the team’s leading rusher and pass receiver. Lee was All-High Honorable mention in football both in 1 946 and 1 947. Lee played varsity basketball in 1946, ’47 and ’48. In 1948 he was the leading rebounder and second highest scorer for his team. Lee was again All-High Honorable mention for basketball.

Lee was on the varsity track teams of 1 946, ’47 and ’48. In his junior year he finished third in the 440 yard run in the All-High meet. In 1 948 Lee was the All-High 440 yard champion in the All-High meet and tied a city record which stood for many years.


After graduation Lee attended Michigan State University, where he competed in varsity track in 1 950, ’51 and 1 952.