BENNETT BEACON

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Emery J. Fisher

Emery J. Fisher

by | Feb 17, 2023

Emery Fisher is an ideal candidate for this award named in memory of former Bennett athlete and charter member of this Sports Hall of Fame committee, Earle Y. Hannel. Emery’s contribution to the local sports scene includes that of an athlete, coach, cross country, track and swimming official, and director of several amateur sports events in our area.

As an athlete, Emery was a hurdler and sprinter at Bennett, finishing 3rd in the All-High meet as a junior, and 2nd as a senior. It must be noted that this was the era of post-graduate students, which means Emery competed agaist 5th year athlete during his 4 year career. Emery continued his sprinting and hurdling career after Bennett in the army, and then at the U. of Buffalo. Emery was a varsity athlete at U.B. from 1947 -1951 .

Emery’s coaching career included a 21 year stint as cross country and track coach at the U. of Buffalo. His teams at U.B. had a winning record during his tenure there.

Anyone that ran track in the Buffalo Public Schools would recognize Emery as the starter for the “Scalp & Blade” track meets. Emery was the official starter for the league from 1974 – 2005. Emery was also an official for high school and college competition in cross country, track and swimming. Emery was also a starter and finish judge in numerous local road races. Emery’s lengthy resume also includes former president of the N.Y.S. Collegiate Track & Reid Association, regional officer of the Jesse Owens Games (1967- 1984), and the World University Games in Buffalo.

Emery was also head official for the Olympic Marathon trials in 1980 and 984, and started the “Big E” Relays in W.N.Y. Emery was a huge contributor to W.N.Y. sports as an athlete, official, and director, in the true sprit of Earle Hannel.

Lee Jones

Lee Jones

by | Feb 17, 2023

Lee came to Bennett in his sophomore year from out of town. He played varsity football, basketball and ran track. Lee played football in 1945,’46 and ’47. In 1947 he was the team’s leading rusher and pass receiver. Lee was All-High Honorable mention in football both in 1 946 and 1 947. Lee played varsity basketball in 1946, ’47 and ’48. In 1948 he was the leading rebounder and second highest scorer for his team. Lee was again All-High Honorable mention for basketball.

Lee was on the varsity track teams of 1 946, ’47 and ’48. In his junior year he finished third in the 440 yard run in the All-High meet. In 1 948 Lee was the All-High 440 yard champion in the All-High meet and tied a city record which stood for many years.


After graduation Lee attended Michigan State University, where he competed in varsity track in 1 950, ’51 and 1 952.

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.

William Blackford

William Blackford

by | Feb 17, 2023

William was a star athlete in two sports, football and track, earning All-High and AII-WNY in both sports. In football, William excelled at the unlikely combination of tailback on offense and defensive end. His quickness off the ball made him unstoppable in getting into the opponents’ backfield. William led the Harvard Cup co-champion 1985 squad to an undefeated season. William was selected to the Lions Club all-star football game following his senior season, and was chosen MVP of the game in 1987.


In track, William was an all-high sprinter. The Tigers went undefeated in all four years of William’s tenure, winning four “Scalp & Blade” trophies. The legendary Section VI champion Bennett 4×1 00 meter relay team that William ran on set an All-High and AII-WNY record of 42.35 seconds. That record still stands to this day as the fastest ever run in WNY.


William followed up his high school career by enrolling at Louisville University. There, William accomplished the rare feat of going out for football as a “walkon” and later getting a full athletic scholarship. As a CB, William was chosen conference “Defensive Player of the Year” in 1989. William was also cited as a preseason All-American CB prior to his senior season.

William still resides in Louisville, KY today, and now is Rev. William Blackford.

Kosta Kobakof

Kosta Kobakof

by | Feb 17, 2023

A 1972 graduate of Bennett High, Kosta Kobakof was a dominant force on the gridiron for the Tigers in the early 7O’s. His performance on the football field alone would have made in eligible for the Hall of Fame, garnering All-High honors in his senior year at the defensive tackle position, but he solidified his selection even further by being the All-High track & field shot put champion to finish up his high school career. Kosta’s winning effort was a toss of 45′ 31/2 “, on the Scalp & Blade champion track squad.

After joining the football squad as a sophomore in the fall of 1969 Kobakof caught the eye of coach Nick Mogavero as a natural football talent who could mature into a Division I college player. In his senior year, Kosta was courted by numerous colleges and finally chose to continue his athletic career with the Orangemen of Syracuse University. “Ko” became a very popular player on the “Cuse” squad and campus, and represented Bennett and his family very proudly in the rich Syracuse football tradition.