by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Jim was a two sport star at Bennett. He was All-High in tennis three straight years, going undefeated in 33 consecutive matches. Jim played first doubles with his twin brother, Art, as a sophomore, and played first singles his junior and senior years. Jim was regarded as the finest public high school player in the area during his junior and senior years. His serve and volley game was powerful and consistent.
In basketball, Jim was third team All-High as a senior, averaging 1 5.2 points per game. Like his brother, he was also an outstanding baseball player during the summers, but chose tennis as his high school spring sport.
After high school, Jim starred at the University of Buffalo at first singles in tennis. In addition to winning city doubles titles with his brother and Lloyd Tack, Jim won many doubles titles in senior divisions.
Jim retired after a long career as a physical education teacher in the city of Buffalo, and is recognized as a fine amateur golfer in the area today.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Ross Nwachukwu was a four year starter at first singles at Bennett from 1987-1990. Built more like a linebacker than a typical tennis player, Ross featured a power game. Ross’ career record at Bennett was 50 wins and 2 losses. Ross lost one match in his freshman year and one in his sophomore year. Ross participated in the Section VI Tournament all four years, qualifying for the NYSPHSAA (state) tournament in his junior and senior seasons. In 1989 Ross became the first player in WNY tennis history to win a medal in state competition, winning the silver medal at Future Stars Academy in Rochester. Ross was recognized as a high school All-American after both his junior and senior years in high school.
After high school Ross earned a full tennis scholarship to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. There Ross accumulated 180 wins, an all time record for Drake University. Ross later became assistant coach at Drake, and later head coach of Division I Kansas.
Ross played professional tennis “on and off’ for four years on the “satellite” tennis tour. His self-proclaimed highest achievement in tennis was victories over two top 100 ranked players in the world, Steven Campbell and Byron Black.
Ross holds four Buffalo MUNY tennis titles to his credit, and is currently a teaching professional at the Village Glen in Williamsville.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
David Knight was on the Bennett High swimming team from 1991-1994. He was also a member of the school’s tennis team from 1991-1993. During his sophomore year (1992) at Bennett he was undefeated against other schools in the 100 yard breast stroke. He set a new record for the 100 yard breast stroke in the time of 104.90. During the same year he was the city champion and finished 1st in the breast stroke in the all High City Championships; the same year he was all High. In 1993 he again broke the Bennett High breast stroke record with a time of 104.84. That year he missed participating in the state meet in the time trial by one second. In 1994 he was also All High in the Individual Medley.
Knight said, “I was extremely honored to receive a letter notifying me that I was going to be inducted into the Bennett High School Hall of Fame. When I was participating in swimming and tennis it never crossed my mind that I might someday receive this honor. I was just trying to do my best and help help my team mates win. Once again I would like to thank the Bennett Hall of Fame members for my induction. It is an honor I will treasure forever.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Cary Presant played varsity tennis for Bennett for three years where he attained All High ranking in doubles in 1959. He was also the University of Buffalo’s Tennis Team manager in 1961 and was the Los Angeles Inter Community Tennis Singles Champion in 1979 and 1985.
In addition to an outstanding tennis career his professional career has been truly remarkable. Dr. Present is a practicing hematologist and medical oncologist in Southern California at City of Hope Medical Center. He is also a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California School of Medicine.
Dr. Presant’s book “Surviving American Medicine” received the 2013 International Book Award for best book on health. He has also written over 400 scientific articles. He is a nationally recognized leader in medicine who is president of the National Association of Community Cancer Centers and a director of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Among many other awards he has received are the Sklarow Award in 1982 from the Maimonides Medical Society in Buffalo and the National Community Clinical Scientist Award in 2016.
Dr. Presant’s current research is focused on developing new therapeutic programs for cancer. He also lectures on improving health care and research advances throughout the United States.
Dr. Presant’s wife Shelia is also a Bennett graduate. The Presants reside in San Marino, California. In his spare time Dr. Presant is busy teaching tennis to his four grandchildren which he thoroughly enjoys.
