by Jeff | 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.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Carmen Iannaccone, class of 1957, enjoyed a distinguished 2 sport career at Bennett. A transfer from Grover Cleveland High School, Carmen benefited from his Bennett Tiger experience as much as any athlete in the long tradition of orange and blue athletics. Getting caught up in the sprit of Bennett, Iannaccone made tremendous strides to become an All High performer in baseball and basketball.
Iannaccone helped lead Bennett to 3 team championships, 2 in baseball, and 1 in basketball.
In his junior year, Carmen proved to be a sure fielding baseball shortstop with a strong throwing arm, as well as a dangerous hitter in the powerful Bennett lineup. He consistently contributed both defensively and offensively, toward Bennett’s march to the Cornell Cup. The cup is emblematic of baseball supremacy in the Buffalo Public School league.
As a senior in 1957, Carmen was named to the Buffalo News and Courier Express All High baseball teams. He batted well over .400 and executed sparkling defensive plays from his shortstop position. Bennett again won the Cornell Cup, defeating Riverside 3-2, at Offermann Stadium. After the 1957 basketball season, Iannaccone was named to the Buffalo News All High team. He starred as a playmaking guard, defensive stalwart, and superb floor general. His strong play was a vital cog in the Tigers Yale Cup city championship team.
During his collegiate career at Buffalo State, Carmen continued to excel in baseball and basketball. In 1985, he was named to the Buffalo State College Sports Hall of Fame.
Upon graduation from Buffalo State College in 1961, Carmen played several years as a professional baseball player in the Baltimore Oriole’s farm system. A highlight was being named to the All Star team in the Western Carolina League, as a Salisbury Brave. His high level of play in minor league ball, as well as his accomplishments over many many years in local amateur leagues, enabled him to be inducted into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame.
A recently retired Professor of Exceptional Education at his alma mater, Buffalo State College, Carmen now resides in Derby, NY.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Charles “the Gar” Garfinkel graduated from Bennett in 1956. He is considered by many to be the greatest all around racket sports star to have ever competed in Western New York. “The Gar” was the first racket sport athlete selected to the Greater Buffalo Hall of Fame.
During his tennis career at Bennett, Charlie was All High first team in 1955 and 1956, winning twenty two straight matches. Bennett captured the Bapst Trophy, emblematic of city tennis supremacy, both years. His 1956 team made Buffalo public school tennis history by completing a perfect season, winning all team and individual matches, a feat unprecedented in 39 years of competition.
In 1956, Garfinkel also played on Bennett’s varsity basketball team.
Charlie’s feats as a racket sports star are legendary. Over the years, he won 24 national racquetball titles, 14 city championships, 32 state titles, and 25 eastern championships. He played on the men’s pro tour for 6 years and was ranked as high as number 5 in the world.
In tennis he won 3 national titles, 4 city singles titles, 11 city doubles titles, and 26 Muny titles, more than any present player.
In 1969, he won city championships in tennis, squash, and racquetball. By his accomplishments, he became the only player WNY history to win all three titles.
Charlie is now a member of 7 Hall of Fames. Included are the Greater Buffalo Hall of Fame, National Racquetball Hall of Fame, the International Masters Racquetball Hall of Fame, the WNY Racquetball Hall of Fame, Buffalo State College Hall of Fame, Jewish Center Hall of Fame, and tonight, the Bennett High School Sports Hall of Fame.
Garfinkel, a Buffalo State College graduate, resides with his family in Amherst. He is an elementary school teacher in the Buffalo Public School System.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Cindy Dayer graduated from Bennett in 1 980, following an illustrious athletic career that spanned four different sports. During her sophomore year, she exhibited her mastery of time management, playing varsity tennis, volleyball, basketball, and running on the cross country team.
Dayer received All-High recognition in tennis during each of her four years at Bennett. She served as team captain all four years, and finished undefeated at first singles during her senior year. Cindy was also a four year starter on the volleyball team. She was the team captain, and led the squad in scoring her sophomore season.
In cross country, she ran the first three years the Buffalo Public Schools offered women the opportunity to participate in competition. Cindy finished fourth in the All-High meet during her sophomore season, and was crowned individual city champion as a junior and senior. She also participated in the Section VI meet as a senior.
Cindy received the “Bennett High School Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Award” three times during her superb athletic career at Bennett. She won the award, following sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Cindy credits her coaches at Bennett for their inspirational motivation that helped set the tone for her future endeavors.
After an outstanding career as a scholar and athlete at Bennett, Cindy went on to graduate from the University of Michigan. She now calls the San Diego, California area her home, and is the proud mother of three children.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Delbert “Moon” Mullens graduated from Bennett in 1962. During his high school days, he achieved greatness as a track and cross country star.
In autumn cross country running, Mullens earned major letters in each of his 4 years as a Bennett Tiger. He was named All High during his senior year, and contributed heavily toward Bennett’s capturing 2 Columbia Cups, emblematic of city supremacy in cross country running.
Del also was a 4 year major letter winner in spring track. Using his gift of blazing speed, he held Bennett records in the 220 yard dash, the 440 yard dash, and shared the 880 yard relay mark with 3 team mates. The 1962 Bennett 880 thinclads, anchored by the mercurial Mullens, broke a 23 year old city record, blazing to a 1 minute 32 second mark. Mullens ran the anchor leg in an exceptional :21.3.
Not one to rest on his laurels, “Moon” continued to strive for excellence by training hard in the summer months. Here is a summary of Del’s best high school and summer achievements:
Bennett High School:
10.1 seconds
:22.4 seconds
:50.7 seconds
1 :59.5 1 :58.0
Summer Times
:09.9 seconds
:21.3 seconds
:49.5 seconds
Included in Del’s resume are 4 individual age group records, 2 records on relay teams, 14 city and state age group records, and runner up in 2 New York State open 400 meter races.
He earned 4 All High medals during his Bennett career.
In 1962, Mullens received the Fred Braun Award as Bennett’s outstanding senior athlete.
After graduating from Bennett, Del Mullens attended Tennessee State.
