BENNETT BEACON

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Ray Skaine

Ray Skaine

by | Feb 17, 2023

Ray Skaine was a standout athlete in football and track for Bennett during the 1 950’s. As a junior in 1 955, he was honorable mention All-High in football. Following his superb 1 956 senior season, Skaine was named first team All-High as an interior lineman by both the Buffalo Evening News and the Buffalo Courier Express. On the gridiron, his proficiency as a tackle and special teams place kicker, were major contributions for a Bennett Tiger’s team that defeated McKinley 9-6, in the annual Thanksgiving Day game at All-High Stadium.

In the most successful season of his four year career, Bennett finished 6-2, including a memorable defeat of East High, the eventual co-champion of the Harvard Cup campaign in 1 956. In addition to his All-High honors, Skaine received recognition as All-American Honorable Mention in Scholastic Magazine.

In track & field, Skaine was a heavy point contributor to Bennett’s cause as a shot put specialist. He was one of only a few boys to represent Bennett in the 1 957 All-High track meet.

Following his athletic career at Bennett, Ray matriculated at UB and played on the 1 958 Lambert Cup Championship team for Buffalo, the team finishing with an 8-1 record.

Skaine now plays an active role in numerous community organizations, including the Bennett High School volunteer mentoring program. He is married to a former Bennettonian, Sandy Markham. They have raised 3 children in Clarence, NY. where they have lived for the past several decades.

Hugh B. Reid

Hugh B. Reid

by | Feb 17, 2023

The late Hugh Reid had a truly outstanding running career at Bennett, starring in Cross Country and Track. his career highlights include at least 8 All-Highs, 3 city records and 6 championship teams on the 7 he competed for. A 3 year All-High competitor in Cross Country, Hugh set a city record for the Delaware Park course in 1984 with a time of 12 minutes and 29 seconds, a blistering 13 seconds faster than the previous record. Rarely will one see a record in any kind of running competition surpassed by that many seconds.The squads of 1982 and 1984 were Columbia Cup champions. Reid was captain of the 1984 team.

Reid also participated on 4 Scalp and Blade Champion track squads.His specialty of course was the distance events. All-High events included the 1 mile, 4:35.1 (a school record), 2 mile, 10:03, 880 yard run and two mile relay, Reid also set a city record in the 1,000 meter run at Sweet Home H.S. WNY Classic Track Meet, finishing 3rd in WNY.

Hugh Reid “passed away” from a form of cancer in 1998, way before his “time”.

Troy Chambers

Troy Chambers

by | Feb 17, 2023

Troy Chambers was an all around athlete at Bennett in the early 1990’s. He was a 3 year Cross Country runner, a 3 year varsity Swimmer and a 4 year Track and Field performer. For his efforts, Chambers accumulated an incredible 12 All-High medals in his 3 sports. In Cross Country, Chambers finished 2nd in the All High Meet competition in both his sophomore and junior years, and was individual city champion in his senior year. Chambers finished an impressive 15th place in the New York State Cross Country Meet following his senior season. He was also named local “Runner Of The Year ” after the Checkers/Nike All Star Race.

As a swimmer, Chambers was in the sprint events, gaining 4 All-High medals in the 100 yard and 200 yard freestyle events. A star distance runner in track, Chambers achieved 6 All-High medals in the 800 meters, one mile and two mile events during his career. He was also named Channel 7’s “Super Athlete Of The Week ” .

After Bennett, Chambers running career continued to blossom at Erie Community College where he totaled 23 All Regional medals in Cross Country, Indoor Track and outdoor track. A two time “MVP” at regional competition, Chambers was named a Division III Junior College All- American. Chambers later attended Missouri Valley. Troy Chambers works and resides in Buffalo.

William “Bill” Truckenbrod

William “Bill” Truckenbrod

by | Feb 17, 2023

Bill Truckenbrod was a four time All-High swimmer at Bennett in 1949 and 1950. His specialty was the 100 yard freestyle, gaining All High honors in that event plus the 160 yard free relay in both years.The Tigers were the Syracuse Cup champions in 1950.

Truckenbrod was Class Historian of the senior class in 1949, and attended the University of Michigan in 1951 and 1952. His college education was interrupted by the Korean War, when he decided to enlisted in the U.S.Navy and later became a night jet fighter pilot aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge. After his military discharge in 1957, Truckenbrod continued his college education Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Truckenbrod graduated with a degree in Building Construction in 1959 and joined the family construction business. He is married with 5 grown daughters, one of whom (Krista ) was also an All High swimmer at Bennett 30 years after her dad in 1979.

Joseph Voskerichian

Joseph Voskerichian

by | Feb 17, 2023

Joey Voskerichian appears to be the ideal person to be receiving the E.Y.Hannel Memorial Award. Like Earle, Joey has a backround in athletics at Bennett, playing varsity baseball and football, and continued his career in the business world with involvement in sports and charity work. Voskerichian is a University of Buffalo graduate and a Korean War veteran. His work history includes the Tampa, FL Police Department and a banking executive. Voskerichian retired in 2000 as a senior vice president of Bank of America. He also served on numerous boards of directors.

Voskerichian’s sports backround beyond Bennett H.S. includes varsity baseball and football at the University of Buffalo and service ball, coaching at the Jr. and Sr. high school level and officiating H.S. and college baseball and basketball. Voskerichian received the “Outstanding Citizen Award” from the Tampa Sports Foundation. His activities include chairman of the Special Olympics at USF, the World Championship Boxing Challenge, and involvement with the late George Steinbrenner’s “Gold Shield Foundation”, which provides financial assistance to families of law enforcement and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

Joey Voskerichian joins his brother George as a member of the Bennett Sports Hall Of Fame.