by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Leslie accomplished a rare achievement in high school by being a 4 sport star athlete. Leslie spent her Fall seasons at Bennett as a volleyball player all 4 years, was a swimmer in the winter season her first two years and switched to basketball her final two years. In the Spring season Leslie was a 4 year standout in softball. In volleyball, Leslie was a two year All-High performer, leading scorer and team MVP. In basketball Leslie was again team MVP and rose to 2nd team “All-High” status. In softball, Leslie shined brightest as a pitcher/center fielder, and selected as 1st team “All-High” her junior and senior years. At graduation Leslie received the “Irene Stern Wilkinson Award” for being the outstanding female athlete of her class. Upon graduation, Leslie attended Canisius College. She began her college softball career as a “walk-on”, but was soon given a partial scholarship for the remaining time there. Leslie had an outstanding career at Canisius, ranking high on their all- time list in several offensive categories. Leslie rose to the level of “All MMC” as a center fielder in her senior year, and was inducted into the Canisius College Sports Hall Of Fame. Leslie now resides in Henderson, NV.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Kim was a well-rounded student while at Bennett. She was a class officer, on the prom committee and stage crew among her many activities. Yet she still found time to be on an athletic team all three sport seasons, all four years at Bennett. Kim was named “Most Athletic Female” in her senior year. The fall sports season found Kim playing volleyball, where she was team captain and an “All-High” selection in her senior year. Her specialty skill was in “serving” the ball. During the winter season Kim was on the basketball squad for three years, and the swimming squad her senior year. There she qualified for the finals at the All-High swim trials. The spring season saw Kim playing her most proficient sport, softball. She was team “co-MVP” and an All-High selection, alternating between pitcher and shortstop positions. She once recorded 1 6 strikeouts in a game, and participated in a post season All Star game following her senior season.
After high school Kim attended Hilbert College, where she continued her athletic career playing volleyball and softball. Kim earned a BA and MA degree from Hilbert College in Elementary Education, and is presently a 3rd grade teacher in the Clarence School District. Kim is the mother of 4 boys.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Kris was a rare athlete for any era of sports. A four year athlete in all three of her sports, she played volleyball in the fall, basketball in the winter and softball in the spring.
That translates to being on a team every day for the entire four years of her high school career. For her efforts Kris was chosen “female athlete of the year” in 1982. The softball teams she played on had a combined record of 32 wins and 12 losses. The four basketball squads had a combined record of 25 wins, 17 losses. Her specialty was volleyball, where her teams had a combined record of 43 wins and 5 losses. The Lady Tigers captured the city volleyball titles in 1980 and 1981. kris twice was chosen team “MVP” of her volleyball team, including the 1981 team that finished undefeated with a 12 win, 0 loss record.
After high school Kris attended Florida State and South Carolina Universities, before finishing her BA and MA degrees in Education at Buffalo State College. Today Kris is in her 16th year as a teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools. The mother of two sons and one daughter, Kris enjoys her time assisting in coaching volleyball.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Brinson was a three sport star in each of her four years at Bennett. Although she was outstanding in volleyball and softball, her most proficient sport was basketball. Elvira was captain and team MVP in both her junior and senior seasons. She earned first team All-High as a senior, and set the single game scoring record for girls with an incredible 52 points in one game.
In volleyball, she was a four year player. She was the captain and team MVP in her junior and senior seasons, attaining All-High status as a senior.
Brinson was also a standout in softball, playing four years on the varsity girls softball team.
Her accomplishments led to her being named the school’s top female athlete in 1 984, her senior year. For her outstanding athletic accomplishments she earned a full scholarship to Sam Houston University in Texas.
She currently resides in Buffalo and works in the family business.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Pat Thayer was a multi-talented athlete who lived in the Buffalo University District. She was extremely well known for her athletic ability at her local playground besides school.
During the time that Pat attended Bennett, there was no funding for any girls’ interscholastic athletics in the entire city of Buffalo. However, Pat was a prime example of uncoached raw talent.
She was incredibly enthusiastic and instrumental in pushing for girls’ sports and was heavily involved in both intramural and pre-Title IX team activities. In 1969, students were notified of a petition asking for girls’ sports. Signatures were presented to Mr. Sikora, the principal, who essentially responded in a disregarding manner.
From 1969 to 1973, Pat was a staunch 4-year member of the Bennett bowling club. She continued bowling into her adult life and excelled tremendously.
Pat also played four years of intramural Volleyball. In her senior year, Physical Education teachers Miss Blue and Mrs. Henderson, entered a team into the Erie County Recreation Department Volleyball tournament. This was the girls first “real” competitive opportunity.
The third sport Pat was involved with was the pre-Title IX Basketball team. Pat was only one of four girls to play all four years. In her freshman year, Nottingham High School invited the girls to play their first and only game. The entire team had to walk to that school to play. Each year, more and more games were added. In her senior year, she played on the undefeated girls Bennett team that was 12-0.
Her fourth high school sport included two years of Pre-Title IX Softball. She was always a solid and dependable contributor to her team. All practices were held by Coach Mary Righetti at Shoshone Park.
Pat continued bowling after graduating, for 30 plus years and had her first perfect “300” game at Abbott Lanes in December 1996. She was the first female to bowl a “300” at Abbott Lanes and rolled games of 257, 300 and 200 for a 757 series. Pat was a member of the “Buffalo 600 Club” and finished in second place with a 286-688.
Pat was a fantastic Pre-Title IX athlete at a time when there was no “girls” Buffalo Public School funding, coaching, uniforms, practice time or transportation. WHAT IF?!
