by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Fate brought the ever popular Coach Vickery to Bennett HS. After finishing graduate school in Iowa, Byron was making his way East on his way back home to his native Wales, G. B. A stop-off to see Niagara Falls was a must. During his stopover in our area, Byron stopped at City Hall and inquired about a job. Byron was immediately put to work at school #6 and in 1963 came to Bennett. At Bennett Byron became a consistently successful educator. Byron’s teams won championships in cross-country(? Columbia Cups), swimming(4 Syracuse Cups) and tennis(3 Dr. Bapst trophies). Byron also had a short stint coaching his favorite sport, soccer. Nichols School benefited from Byron’s expertise, with a 33 wins, no losses in the early 60’s.
The highlight of this brilliant coaching resume’ has to be the year 1978. Byron’s teams went undefeated in all three of his sports, winning the boys and gins championships in cross country, swimming and tennis, surely any coaches dream.
The star athletes Coach Vickery developed are too numerous to mention here. It must be noted however, that Byron was the first coach to use females on a boys varsity team. Byron helped “revolutionize” Buffalo city sports when Kathy McCarthy and Lydia Manuel swam on the varsity swim team in 1971.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Bruce had an outstanding career recoerd in tennis at Bennett H.S. from 1961 – 1964, registering 43 wins, and only 1 loss. Bruce played 2nd singles as a freshman, and at 1st singles the rest of his career. Bruce was first team All-High in his freshman, junior and senior years, losing his one match as a sophomore. Bruce was the first freshman to be named to 1st team Al-High in the city. Bruce was the captain of the tennis team in his junior and senior years, and was named “Outstanding Male athlete” at Bennett in 1964.
Bruces’ athletic skills were not limited to tennis. He was youth speed skating champion in city and county competition as a 12 and 13 year old.Bruce was also highly successful in MUNY tennis and squash competition during his years in Buffalo.
Upon graduation, Bruce matriculated at Cornell U., where he played varsity tennis and squash. Bruce graduated from Cornell in 1969 with a degree in Engineering. Later worked as an engineer for the United States Government on our Radar Defense Systems. Currently resides in Massachusettes.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Junie Hemphill went on to star in a highly successful NAIA basketball program at Cumberland (KY) College. He also became a Physical Education teacher and restauranteur in Memphis, TN.
Vory Billups, who also played two years of varsity tennis at Bennett, went on to St. Bonaventure U. on a basketball scholarship, after being named 8th team All New York State at the center position. Unfortunately, a medical condition stopped Vory’s college basketball career before it ever got started. After graduation from St. Bona., Vory became a college admissions recruiter, and is presently the Director of Admissions of Atlanta Tech College. Vory is also involved in charity work for young student athletes.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Herb was All-High in tennis at Bennett during his junior and senior years. When he received All-High status at 2nd singles in 1955 he was arguably part of the greatest high school tennis teams in the history of Western New York competition. Each of the seven players on that team were All-High selections, as the team went undefeated in league play. Members of that team including Johnston Jr. went on to win over 30 city tennis titles in different divisions.
Although Johnston Jr. was recognized as an outstanding player, he was equally renowned for becoming the first player of note to hit a two-handed backhand in WNY. With this deadly shot he was able to produce uncanny winners and angles as he frustrated many opponents with this deadly weapon.
Johnston went on to star at Cornell University in singles and doubles and was a three time winner in the Men’s Muny Doubles competition.
A lawyer by profession he was also a Buffalo City Court Judge and held many prestigious positions in city government
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Donnie Dreyfuss played all four years on the tennis team while at Bennett. He was All High at second doubles in 1954. In 1956, he was All High at third singles on arguably the greatest high school tennis team to have ever played in the Buffalo school system. Unbelievably, all seven members of the starting team were all High and undefeated; a feat never matched in the history of Buffalo High School tennis. Dreyfuss was famous for his booming cross court forehand and a fierce competitive spirit
He continued his outstanding play at the University of Kentucky where he played as high as third singles and second doubles, competing and doing extremely well in the strong Southeastern Conference.
Presently, Dreyfuss, a retired geriatlic physician, lives in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he has lived with his lovely wife, Elisa, for over 30 years. fts proud as Dreyfuss is of his tennis accomplishments, he is even prouder of his four children, three of whom played varsity tennis while in high school. Equally impressive, is that each of his children graduated from the University of Michigan.
Heather is living and teaching in new York City. Heath, a resident in Otolaryngology, is at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Hayley is a third year medical student at Drexel University College of Medicine. Last, but certainly not least, his daughter Heidi plans to attend Columbia University Teachers College to get her Master’s Degree.
