BENNETT BEACON

DONATE

Paul Hennessey

Paul Hennessey

by | 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.

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.

Elmer Rosenthal

Elmer Rosenthal

by | Feb 17, 2023

Elmer Rosenthal, affectionately known as “Rosie” to his legion of students and athletes, came to Buffalo in the 1920’s after attending college in Indiana. He entered Bennett as a young educator, and established a career that spanned from the early 1930’s to 1964. Elmer coached tennis early in his career, then succeeded Lou Montgomery as the Tigers track and Cross Country coach.

A man of superb character and principle, Rosenthal served as an excellent role model for all Bennettonians over the course of his long career. His teams found glory often, and his numerous championship squads of both harrier and thin dads were testimony to his coaching prowess. His less talented teams received the same caring and devoted coaching he gave to his championship teams. Rosie served Bennett well as a teacher, coach and colleague, and will always be remembered favorably by those fortunate enough to have known him.

Eric Cutter

Eric Cutter

by | Feb 17, 2023

Eric, one of the most versatile athletes in Bennett H.S. history, was a three sport star in the mid 1970’s. Eric was a three time All-High performer in football, and was selected on both offense and defense. A “do everything” running back with great speed and quickness, Eric was a threat to score every time he touched the ball. Eric also was a “shut down” defensive back in the secondary.

Upon graduation, Coach J. Berkman declared, “He’s the best I’ve ever coached.”

In track, Eric was the All-High sprinter, turning in several 1 0.0 second 1 00 yard dash times on All High Stadium’s cinder track. The Tigers were Scalp & Blade champions all four years during Eric’s career, and Eric was the “Main Man.”

In basketball, Eric played three years of varsity ball. He was the starting point guard in his junior and senior seasons. Eric was special for his unselfish play and unending hustle.

Eric was an outstanding student in the classroom. With many schools to choose from, Eric attended Dartmouth University in Hanover, NH, on an academic scholarship. Eric played four years of varsity football at Dartmouth.

Coach Larry Veronica has one outstanding memory of Eric’s great career at Bennett that exemplifies the person Eric was. On his college application to Dartmouth, for the question “Race,” Eric responded, “Human.”

Eric resides in California today

Fred Helmer

Fred Helmer

by | Feb 17, 2023

Fred was one of the greatest all-around athletes at Bennett High School. He earned major letters in football, baseball, and basketball. He was All-High football in 1 943 and second team All-High football in 1942. He was a triple threat back and one of the best punters the Harvard Cup has ever seen. He played shortstop and was a pitcher on the 1 943 Cornell Cup baseball team and a guard on the Bennett basketball team.


After graduation, he went into the Navy. Fred played softball (fastball) for many years and was considered one of the best pitchers, if not the best of his time. He is in the softball Hall of Fame.