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Leslie Samson

Leslie Samson

by | Feb 17, 2023

Leslie accomplished a rare achievement in high school by being a 4 sport star athlete. Leslie spent her Fall seasons at Bennett as a volleyball player all 4 years, was a swimmer in the winter season her first two years and switched to basketball her final two years. In the Spring season Leslie was a 4 year standout in softball. In volleyball, Leslie was a two year All-High performer, leading scorer and team MVP. In basketball Leslie was again team MVP and rose to 2nd team “All-High” status. In softball, Leslie shined brightest as a pitcher/center fielder, and selected as 1st team “All-High” her junior and senior years. At graduation Leslie received the “Irene Stern Wilkinson Award” for being the outstanding female athlete of her class. Upon graduation, Leslie attended Canisius College. She began her college softball career as a “walk-on”, but was soon given a partial scholarship for the remaining time there. Leslie had an outstanding career at Canisius, ranking high on their all- time list in several offensive categories. Leslie rose to the level of “All MMC” as a center fielder in her senior year, and was inducted into the Canisius College Sports Hall Of Fame. Leslie now resides in Henderson, NV.

Kosta Kobakof

Kosta Kobakof

by | Feb 17, 2023

A 1972 graduate of Bennett High, Kosta Kobakof was a dominant force on the gridiron for the Tigers in the early 7O’s. His performance on the football field alone would have made in eligible for the Hall of Fame, garnering All-High honors in his senior year at the defensive tackle position, but he solidified his selection even further by being the All-High track & field shot put champion to finish up his high school career. Kosta’s winning effort was a toss of 45′ 31/2 “, on the Scalp & Blade champion track squad.

After joining the football squad as a sophomore in the fall of 1969 Kobakof caught the eye of coach Nick Mogavero as a natural football talent who could mature into a Division I college player. In his senior year, Kosta was courted by numerous colleges and finally chose to continue his athletic career with the Orangemen of Syracuse University. “Ko” became a very popular player on the “Cuse” squad and campus, and represented Bennett and his family very proudly in the rich Syracuse football tradition.

Joe Flood

Joe Flood

by | Feb 17, 2023

Joe Flood came to Bennett High School from Public School #37. Joe was the tenth child and seventh son in a family of ten children. His family’s roots were established in Center Ridge, Arkansas. At Bennett Joe lettered tour years in football and led the Tigers on a fifteen game winning streak that included Harvard Cups in his Junior and Senior years. Joe’s outstanding play resulted in first team All High in his Junior and Senior years. He was a dominating player on offense as a center and defense as a middle linebacker.

From Bennett Joe attended North Carolina A&T. He played center at A&T tor tour years. In his junior and senior years Jesse Jackson was A&T’s quarterback. Together they led their team to winning seasons. Joe graduated with a degree in Sociology. It was in college that he met his future wife Barbara L. Rainey. While obtaining his Masters Degree at Howard University Joe and Barbara were married.

Upon graduation from Howard, Joe started teaching at American University. Besides teaching Joe was a bit of an entrepreneur opening a dress shop in downtown Washington called the “Red Lantern”. It was during this time that Joe and Barbara became the proud parents of their daughter Renee. Joe’s graduation from college inspired all his siblings to obtain college diplomas. If Joe can overcome a severe speech impediment and obtain two degrees “I can too”. Joe passed away in 1971.