BENNETT BEACON
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Eric was a three sport star during his athletic career at Bennett.
In football Eric was 1st team All-High at running back in 1961 . In track, Eric was a two time All-High in the 880 yard relay in both 1960 and ’61 seasons. The Tigers were “Scalp and Blade” champions in 1960 and 1962 during Eric’s career. Eric was also a guard and co-captain of the basketball squad in 1 963.
Bucky was on of the finest Bennett High School athletes of his era. He was a great catcher and was All-High in 1939 and 1940. He was a terrific hitter with a tremendous arm. He could throw to second base from his crouch position. He also had the arm and quickness to pick-off runners who were on first base. He had a batting average of .423 in his last year at Bennett.
He was on the Tigers basketball team for four years and was Captain his last year. He was an accurate shooter, great under the boards and a wonderful playmaker.
After graduation, he won a scholarship to Michigan State, where he became Captain of their baseball team. He caught the famous Hall of Farner, Robin Roberts of the Philadelphia Phillies, while they were both at Michigan State.
Gary Jackson graduated from Bennett in 1972, after a sterling athletic career in football, basketball and baseball. On the football field, Gary made first team All-High as a quick anticipating defensive back. He stood out on offense as well, guiding the Tiger fortunes as a gritty quarterback for Coach Berkman’s gridiron forces.
In basketball, Jackson’s guard skills were a key in running the Bennett offense. He was an excellent playmaker, and used those gifts to interest recruiters at LeMoyne College of Syracuse. After his playing days at Bennett, he matriculated to LeMoyne and had a productive career there, being named Captain in his senior year. Jackson played baseball for Bennett in the spring, and was named 1st Team All-High in 1972, after his superb career as an outfielder for the Tigers. In his senior year he threw out seven runners with his strong, accurate arm; two at home, four at second and one at third. In addition, he batted a sparkling .538, cashing in 21 hits in 11 games.
Not only did Gary Jackson star in sports, but he also belonged to a very unique club that saw him cited for never having been absent or tardy during his 13 years in the Buffalo Public Schools.
After graduating from LeMoyne with a degree in Sociology, Gary has spent a long career helping others, as he works with developmentally disabled adults.
Jerry came to Bennett in 1964 replacing a legend, Elmer Rosenthal. Jerry taught physical education and health, and kept busy coaching three sports a year. In the fall season, Jerry coached cross country, was an assistant football coach and head football coach from 1971 until his retirement.
In the winter season, Jerry coached either boys basketball, girls basketball, swimming or bowling. The spring season saw Jerry coach track and field or baseball. Jerry experienced championship teams in football(1 ), track and field(3), but his biggest success came in baseball. Jerry guided Tiger teams to Cornell Cups in ’74,’76,’81,’82 and ’85, not a big surprise since Jerry himself signed a pro baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies right out of Burgard HS. Jerry’s career was defined with the high moral and ethical standards he set for his athletes, and the sense of humor he brought to work everyday.
Best wishes for a long happy retirement in Leesburg, Florida, where Jerry still plays softball today.
Jerry Schweibel starred for Bennett in three sports in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. On the Bennett track team, Schweibel lettered all 4 years at Bennett, running the 100 yard dash and the sprint relays. He finished first or second each year for Bennett in the 1 00, and as a senior, made first team All-High on the 880 yard relay team.
As a football player, Schweibel started from his sophomore year through his senior year at running back and in the defensive backfield. He played in the most famous football game in Bennett history, the 1948 game against Kensington, played before 50,988 fans at Civic Stadium.
A 3 year letterman in basketball, Schweibel led the way as Bennett upset the famous Emerson team that featured college standouts, Jim Home of UB, and Harvey Austin of Purdue, as well as Nazeer Aljuanni. They had won 31 consecutive Yale Cup games until Bennett pulled off the shocking upset. During his outstanding athletic Career, Schweibel also played Classic League softball against such famous teams as Fort Wayne Zollners, Bell Aircraft, as well as the “King and His Court,” starring the legendary Eddie Feigner. Schweibel also ran track for the Downtown “Y” in several international meets.
Jerry is retired, and currently resides with his wife in Williamsville.