by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
The Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame Committee was pleased to select a high achiever in Bennett sports history, Trevor Ruffin, to receive the first annual award named after another high achiever in Bennett history, Earle Hannel.
Trevor was the outstanding basketball player of his era at Bennett. Trevor was the “Main Man” in the Tigers undefeated 1987 Yale Cup champion squad that went on to play at the N.Y.S. high school championship tournament at Glens Falls, NY. Trevor went on to set two amazing basketball records one magical February afternoon at Seneca V.H.S. By games end, Trevor had recorded 76 points, including 12 three point shots. Both were W.N.Y. schoolboy records at the time. The Tigers set a team record for most three point shots, 12, and all were scored by Trev.
Following his high school career, Trevor played a year at the junior college level before earning a basketball scholarship to the University of Hawaii. Trevor led Hawaii to become a big time power in NCAA college basketball. Following his remarkable career at Hawaii, Trevor played pro basketball in the NBA, primarily with the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers. Trevor also played pro basketball overseas. Currently, Trev has signed a contract with the Buffalo franchise in the new pro basketball league to commence this season.
Good luck Trevor Ruffin.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Kathy McCarthy starred for the Bennett swimming team all four years in high school. Kathy was a pioneer in girls sports in Buffalo by becoming the first girl (along with teammate Lydia Manuel) to make a boys varsity squad. Trained by her dad, Vince, and coached by Byron Vickery, Kathy became the first girl to earn All-High honors by winning the 100 yard Butterfly in 1971. Kathy made believers out of doubters that felt girls could not compete at boys level on varsity teams.
In her first three years of competition, Kathy failed to finish first only twice in her specialty, the 100 yard butterfly event. Kathy also showed some versatility by winning several 400 yard freestyle events. During her sophomore season, Kathy was undefeated during the regular season, and came away from the All-High meet with another title. Kathy was the only girl to compete in that meet. As a senior, Kathy was a teammate of her freshman sister, Mary Lou.
Kathy followed her stellar high school career by landing a swimming scholarship to Lake Forest College (Illinois). Kathy Mccarthy Grilliot is now residing in Vienna, VA, and is teaching in the Respiratory Therapy Program at Northern Virginia Community College.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Paul starred for Bennett in the mid 50’s after transferring from St. Joe’s in 1955. Paul quickly assimilated into the Bennett mainstream as a student-athlete, finding his niche on the gridiron and baseball diamond. /ls a catcher in baseball, he played on Bennett’s undefeated Cornell Cup championship team of 1957. Paul was a strong armed right handed thrower, and a left handed hitter. Paul was a mainstay on that club. In 1958, his senior year, Paul hit .467, and was named the All High catcher on another winning Bennett baseball squad. Over the two year period of his junior and senior year, Paul failed to hit safely in only one game.
In football, Paul played on the offensive line for the Tigers, and doubled as a kicking specialist. In 1958 Paul represented Bennett in the All-Star football game at Civic Stadium. That game pitted the city all-stars against the county all-stars.
Following his high school career, Paul served in the U.S. Army and played ball for the VII Corps Jayhawks. Paul now resides in Cheektowaga, and is a retired U.S. Postal employee.
