Byron L. Vickery

Byron L. Vickery

Fate brought the ever popular Coach Vickery to Bennett HS. After finishing graduate school in Iowa, Byron was making his way East on his way back home to his native Wales, G. B. A stop-off to see Niagara Falls was a must. During his stopover in our area, Byron stopped at City Hall and inquired about a job. Byron was immediately put to work at school #6 and in 1963 came to Bennett. At Bennett Byron became a consistently successful educator. Byron’s teams won championships in cross-country(? Columbia Cups), swimming(4 Syracuse Cups) and tennis(3 Dr. Bapst trophies). Byron also had a short stint coaching his favorite sport, soccer. Nichols School benefited from Byron’s expertise, with a 33 wins, no losses in the early 60’s.


The highlight of this brilliant coaching resume’ has to be the year 1978. Byron’s teams went undefeated in all three of his sports, winning the boys and gins championships in cross country, swimming and tennis, surely any coaches dream.


The star athletes Coach Vickery developed are too numerous to mention here. It must be noted however, that Byron was the first coach to use females on a boys varsity team. Byron helped “revolutionize” Buffalo city sports when Kathy McCarthy and Lydia Manuel swam on the varsity swim team in 1971.

Eric Hawkins

Eric Hawkins

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.

Eugene (Bucky) Walsh

Eugene (Bucky) Walsh

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

Gary Jackson

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.

Gerald Berkman

Gerald Berkman

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.