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Lou Montgomery

Lou Montgomery

by | Feb 17, 2023

Lou Montgomery taught and coached track, cross country, and hockey at Bennett from 1929 into the late 30’s.

Before he arrived at Bennett, he was a radio operator on submarine L-6 during WWI. After the war Lou entered Indianapolis College. After graduation he taught physical education in Michigan for a few years before coming to Buffalo. He spent a few years teaching in Buffalo elementary schools before taking the coaching reins at Bennett. Although his hockey and cross country teams were successful, his track teams were legendary.

Montgomery left Bennett in the late 1 930’s with an undefeated string of Scalp & Blade championships. He transferred over to the new Kensington High School and started another undefeated string of championships there.

Upon leaving the city of Buffalo, Montgomery became a very successful college track coach at Cornell University. His stops included a stint as a coach with the U.S. Olympic track team. He later returned to Buffalo where he became director of the Buffalo Athletic Club.


Lou retired to California, having left a legacy in Western New York track and field.

Greg Batt

by | Feb 17, 2023

Greg Batt was one of the greatest athletes that attended Bennett High School. Most people that saw him play hockey have stated that he was the greatest player they have ever seen.

He attended Bennett for three years before transferring to Nichols School. At Bennett he was All-High in hockey in 1935 and 1 936. He was a halfback on the football team and played third base on the baseball team. At Nichols he was a star in hockey and baseball and is in their Sports Hall Of Fame.

He won a scholarship to Colgate University where he was also a star in hockey and baseball, and was captain of both teams. He played tennis for three years. During 1942 – 1943 as player-coach, he led Colgate to its only undefeated hockey season. He scored 52 of his teams1 16 goals that season, along with 36 assists to propel Colgate to an 1 1 – 0 record, including a 1 3 – 3 victory over Army. While at Colgate he became an All-American, and is in their Sports Hall Of Fame.

Greg had offers in hockey from the Chicago black Hawks when there were only 6 teams in the NHL. He also received an invitation to play on the American Olympic Hockey team, but decided not to accept because of school work. After graduation he joined the U. S. Marines and was in on the invasion of Okinawa during World War II. There he was injured and received the “Purple Heart”.

After the war he returned to Colgate and coached hockey, soccer and tennis, but commuted to Clinton, NY to play center for the Clinton Comets, a professional team in the New York – Ontario Hockey League. He was named All-Star center by the American Hockey Association. He had acquired a legendary reputation on the ice by the time Hamilton College invited him to coach at their school in 1 948. He coached hockey and was backfield coach in football. He coached hockey for 36 years and was elected to be chairman of the rules committee of the American Hockey Coaches association and was formerly Dean of hockey coaches. Hamilton College named their new hockey arena the Perryman-Batt Arena.

Greg had six brothers who attended Bennett H.S. All of them were on sports teams. They are as follows; Dr. Richard Batt ’31 – was on the cross country team and ran the mile in track. Paul Batt ’34 – was on the football and hockey teams. James Batt ’35 – was on the cross country, hockey and tennis teams. Theodore Batt ’37 – cross country team and ran the mile in track. Jerome Batt ’37 – was on the baseball team. He captained the hockey and baseball teams at Cornell University. Dr. David Batt ’43 played baseball and football, and was All-High in baseball in 1 943.

Bill Fitzsimmons

Bill Fitzsimmons

by | Feb 17, 2023

Bill was a two sport star at Bennett High School. He played hockey and baseball. He played hockey in 1935 and 1936 and was a terrific player. Hockey was a varsity sport in those days and Bill made all high in 1936. One of Bill’s teammates called him the best baseball outfielder that he ever saw. He was certainly one of the best outfielders to play baseball at Bennett High School. He was All High in 1935, 1936 and 1937 and won a four year baseball scholarship to Michigan State. He played freshman baseball and three years of varsity ball at Michigan State. He was elected Captain of their team in his senior year and after graduation was signed to a two year Semi-pro contract with the Simon Pure Brewery team in Buffalo, NY. His baseball career was cut short when he was drafted into the US Army in 1942.

Bill currently lives in Temecula, California with his wife Anne. They own, operate and market a five plus acre Orchard/Farm in Temecula. They have two daughters.

Daniel A Goldie

Daniel A Goldie

by | Feb 17, 2023

Daniel A. Goldie had a storied sports career at Bennett High School. He was All High in baseball in 1984/1985 and 1985/86 and was honorable mention All WNY when he hit 3 home runs in one game. In ice hockey, he was All High in
1983/84 and 1984/85 and in football in 1985/86. At Buffalo State, he excelled in hockey all 4 years and was all conference three years. He played pro hockey for two years in Germany and one year for the Erie Panthers who were affiliated with the Los Angeles Kings.

It really isn’t surprising that he had an outstanding athletic career. As a youngster, he would play different sports with his friends. At Bennett he had great camaraderie with all of the athletes and a great school spirit that helped him play at a high level.

Goldie was noted for his mental toughness, being level headed, disciplined and a fierce drive to succeed. He said, “No matter what the sport was, I hated to lose. That was my mindset. He also gave a great amount of credit for his success to Bennett coaches Larry Veronica, Jerry Berkman and John Vella. “They were always helpful and were great friends and mentors.”

Goldie said, “I made friends at Bennett that I am still close to and who I will always have great memories of. When I was notified that I was being inducted into the Bennett Sports Hall of Fame I was deeply humbled and thankful for this great honor.”

Daniel A Goldie kicking football
Steven Brucato

Steven Brucato

by | Feb 17, 2023

Steve Brucato was a star performer in three sports while at Bennett. He competed three years in baseball, playing centerfield, first base and pitching, three years of football as a quarterback and kicker, along with four years of ice hockey.

Arguably, Steve may be the most prolific scorer in ice hockey to ever come out of the Buffalo Public Schools. Steve scored an incredible 70 goals in 21 games during his senior year. Steve also scored the winning goal in overtime in the league championship game. That was Steve’s 5th goal of the game, with one assist, in a 6 to 5 victory.

Steve was on the league All-Star team all four years of high school, and league MVP his junior year, and Bennett MVP his junior and senior season. Steve is still active in hockey and baseball, In 2011 Steve led his team to the Labatt Blue Pond Hockey championship, and can be found on the baseball diamond several nights a week.

Steve still resides in Buffalo, and is the manager of Gabel’s on Hertel Avenue. He also is a regular at Bennett sporting events.