by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Vincent McCarthy may go down in Bennett H.S. history as the most prolific swimmer ever. Brother of 2005 Hall Of Fame inductee Kathy McCarthy Grilliot, VJ, Kathy, along with sister Mary Lou and brothers Dave and Dan, the McCarthy’s were known in the 7O’s and early ’80’s as the “first family” of Bennett H.S. swimming. Coached by his father Vince and 2006 Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame inductee Coach Byron L. Vickery, VJ is the most celebrated male swimmer in school history.
In the years 1977 – ’79, no one dominated the Buffalo Public School league like VJ. Totalling 8 All-High medals, VJ was All High as a sophomore in both the Individual Medley and 100 yard Butterfly stroke. In his junior season, VJ captured three All-High medals, defending both of his sophomore titles, and adding the 200 yard Freestyle Relay. For his senior season, VJ once again
gained All-High recognition in the 200 yard Freestyle Relay, Butterfly, and also added a Buffalo City record as a member of the 400 yard Medley Relay.
Following graduation, VJ went on to Buffalo State College and earned a B.A. degree in Political Science. Currently, he is the Assistant Supervisor of pools for the Erie County Parks Dept. VJ is also the assistant head coach for Sweet Home H.S. boys and girls swimming teams. His brother Dan is the head coach. VJ is also the head coach of the Sweet Home Aquatic Swim Club, and the W.N.Y. swimming team that competes every summer in the Empire State Games.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
In a rare account of our Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame biographies, these two inductees will be included in one space, since their three year varsity basketball careers were so parallel.
Teammates on the varsity basketball squads of 1981 -’82, 1982-’83, 1983-’84, Vary and Junie both had All-High and AIIWNY careers. The 6’7″ Billups, and the 5’8″ Hemphill formed a perfect compliment to each others skills. In their sophomore year Bennett won the Section VI, Class B title. In their junior year Bennett won the Class B title again, and went on to win the N.Y. State Public High School Class B championship at Glens Falls, N.Y. , then lost to Bishop Laughlin H.S. of Brooklyn for the overall Federation (public-private school) title. That squad was led by All-American Curtis Aiken. In 1983 Aiken graduated, and the question lingered, “how will the Tigers fare without their All-American guard? Whereas Billups and Hemphill languished in teammate Aiken’s huge shadow for two years, they came to the fore on their own in their senior year. The Tigers won the “Yale Cup” in 1984, repeated as the N.Y.S. Public School Class “B” champions, and won the Federation, Class B, overall championship versus the private school champion. The bar was set high, and the Tigers led by this pair of stars gave a truly Hall Of Fame performance. The Tigers could not have accomplished this without both of their AII-WNY stars. Coach Larry Veronica recalls both players as stellar defensive players, as well as scorers. “The memory of Vary blocking shots with that impeccable timing that possessed, and Junie so often stealing the ball from anyone foolish enough to dribble against him, will live with me forever.” “Their leadership and work ethic were exemplary.”
Three year varsity career achievements;
Wins 65 – Losses 11
All-High, AII-WNY 1983 and 1984
Yale Cup champions, 1984
Section VI, Class “B” titles – 3
N.Y.S. Public School Championships – 2
N.Y.S. Federation (overall) Championships – 1
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Bruce had an outstanding career recoerd in tennis at Bennett H.S. from 1961 – 1964, registering 43 wins, and only 1 loss. Bruce played 2nd singles as a freshman, and at 1st singles the rest of his career. Bruce was first team All-High in his freshman, junior and senior years, losing his one match as a sophomore. Bruce was the first freshman to be named to 1st team Al-High in the city. Bruce was the captain of the tennis team in his junior and senior years, and was named “Outstanding Male athlete” at Bennett in 1964.
Bruces’ athletic skills were not limited to tennis. He was youth speed skating champion in city and county competition as a 12 and 13 year old.Bruce was also highly successful in MUNY tennis and squash competition during his years in Buffalo.
Upon graduation, Bruce matriculated at Cornell U., where he played varsity tennis and squash. Bruce graduated from Cornell in 1969 with a degree in Engineering. Later worked as an engineer for the United States Government on our Radar Defense Systems. Currently resides in Massachusettes.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Emery Fisher is an ideal candidate for this award named in memory of former Bennett athlete and charter member of this Sports Hall of Fame committee, Earle Y. Hannel. Emery’s contribution to the local sports scene includes that of an athlete, coach, cross country, track and swimming official, and director of several amateur sports events in our area.
As an athlete, Emery was a hurdler and sprinter at Bennett, finishing 3rd in the All-High meet as a junior, and 2nd as a senior. It must be noted that this was the era of post-graduate students, which means Emery competed agaist 5th year athlete during his 4 year career. Emery continued his sprinting and hurdling career after Bennett in the army, and then at the U. of Buffalo. Emery was a varsity athlete at U.B. from 1947 -1951 .
Emery’s coaching career included a 21 year stint as cross country and track coach at the U. of Buffalo. His teams at U.B. had a winning record during his tenure there.
Anyone that ran track in the Buffalo Public Schools would recognize Emery as the starter for the “Scalp & Blade” track meets. Emery was the official starter for the league from 1974 – 2005. Emery was also an official for high school and college competition in cross country, track and swimming. Emery was also a starter and finish judge in numerous local road races. Emery’s lengthy resume also includes former president of the N.Y.S. Collegiate Track & Reid Association, regional officer of the Jesse Owens Games (1967- 1984), and the World University Games in Buffalo.
Emery was also head official for the Olympic Marathon trials in 1980 and 984, and started the “Big E” Relays in W.N.Y. Emery was a huge contributor to W.N.Y. sports as an athlete, official, and director, in the true sprit of Earle Hannel.
