BENNETT BEACON

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Joe Flood

Joe Flood

by | Feb 17, 2023

Joe Flood came to Bennett High School from Public School #37. Joe was the tenth child and seventh son in a family of ten children. His family’s roots were established in Center Ridge, Arkansas. At Bennett Joe lettered tour years in football and led the Tigers on a fifteen game winning streak that included Harvard Cups in his Junior and Senior years. Joe’s outstanding play resulted in first team All High in his Junior and Senior years. He was a dominating player on offense as a center and defense as a middle linebacker.

From Bennett Joe attended North Carolina A&T. He played center at A&T tor tour years. In his junior and senior years Jesse Jackson was A&T’s quarterback. Together they led their team to winning seasons. Joe graduated with a degree in Sociology. It was in college that he met his future wife Barbara L. Rainey. While obtaining his Masters Degree at Howard University Joe and Barbara were married.

Upon graduation from Howard, Joe started teaching at American University. Besides teaching Joe was a bit of an entrepreneur opening a dress shop in downtown Washington called the “Red Lantern”. It was during this time that Joe and Barbara became the proud parents of their daughter Renee. Joe’s graduation from college inspired all his siblings to obtain college diplomas. If Joe can overcome a severe speech impediment and obtain two degrees “I can too”. Joe passed away in 1971.

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.

Kenneth Lidge

Kenneth Lidge

by | Feb 17, 2023

Ken was a football and basketball star at Bennett. Kenny accomplished a rare feat of being selected as first team All-High as a receiver in sophomore, junior and senior year. Ken was also selected as first team All-WNY end in 1969. Ken was the main “go to” guy for the 1968 Harvard Cup champion Bennett squad. He was acclaimed by many that saw Ken perform as the finest high school receiver they had ever seen.

Kenny played three years of varsity basketball, and was a starting forward in his junior and senior years. He played on some very competitive Bennett teams under coach Don Gilbert.

Ken resides in Buffalo today and works in the Buffalo School System.

Carl Johnson

Carl Johnson

by | Feb 17, 2023

Carl Johnson graduated from Public School # 8. At Bennett he lettered all four years in football and track. In track Johnson ran both the 100 yard and 220 yard sprints. In football as an offensive and defensive halfback Johnson was second team All High his sophomore and junior years. During his junior and senior years Bennett won the Harvard Cup. In his senior year he was voted the outstanding player in Bennett’s “Turkey Day”win over Grover Cleveland.

After graduating from Bennett Johnson attended North Carolina Central University in Durham where he obtained both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in History.

At college he met his wife Peggy. They returned to Buffalo and raised three children, Carl II, Caryn, and Camille. Each of his children have been very successful professionally.

Johnson retired as the Executive Director of the St. Augustine’s Family Center. He and Peggy are the proud grandparents of Carl the third and Bryant. This weekend they are celebrating their 43rd wedding anniversary.

Robert Daughtry

Robert Daughtry

by | Feb 17, 2023

Robert was a football and track star at Bennett in the early 60’s. Robert played end, and was selected as the 1st team All-High receiver in his senior season. The 1 961 Tigers played in the consolation game on Thanksgiving Day, and Robert caught a touchdown pass to help the Tigers win the game.

In track, Robert was an all-high sprinter. The 880 yd. relay teams of both 1961 and 1962 won the All-High meet. Robert was the only performer on both of those squads, as he had three new teammates for the 1962 repeat.

After graduating from Bennett, Robert attended Howard University where he majored in marketing. He worked as an account executive for a “Fortune 500” company.

Robert now resides in the Washington, DC area.