by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Ed was a three sport athlete while at Bennett. His main contribution was as a distance runner. Ed lettered in Cross Country in 1957, ‘58 and ‘59, achieving first team All-High in 1959. The Bennett teams of 1957 and ‘58 won the Columbia Cup, as city champions. Ed’s distance running prowess carried over to track where he ran the 880 yard run, lettering for three years. Ed finished second in the 880 in 1958, ‘59 and ‘60. His leadership qualities led to his being named Captain of both the Cross Country and Track squads. Ed also played on the Yale Cup Champion basketball team of 1959.
Today Ed and his wife of 53 years, Fran, also a Bennett grad, live in Sanborn, NY. Ed always kept up his sports participation, competing in softball until age 67. Ed also played JFK touch football on his company team, and is still active in bowling and golf. Ed now enjoys his retirement by watching his four Grandchildren play hockey, soccer and baseball.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
David Jay, affectionately known as “Duke” or “Uncle Dave”, has had a life long connection with sports. Like Earle Hannel himself, Dave played varsity baseball at Bennett, helping the Tigers win three consecutive Cornell Cups in 1955, ‘56 and ‘57. Both men also stayed loyal to Bennett forever, and never missed a chance to boost the city or our sports teams.
From Bennett, Dave attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn where he played varsity baseball and basketball, and coached the bowling team at Pratt. Dave graduated with a degree in Architecture. During and after Dave’s time in the U.S. Service, Dave continued his lifetime connection with sports, playing service baseball,refereeing soccer. Dave then spent 18 years as a youth baseball coach in the Virginia area, becoming Virginia State Asst. Commissioner of the Babe Ruth Leagues from 2004 to 2013.
Uncle Dave, now 75 years old, still works today, and can be found any Sunday there is a Bills game on TV at Grevey’s Restaurant in Falls Creek, VA. Dave always makes Bills and sabre games along with “Buffalo Night” a major event in the D.C. area.
Today, Dave ( a widower for 13 years ) resides in Ashburn, VA and enjoys spending time with his 3 children, 2 step daughters and 2 Grandchildren.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Sam, a versatile athlete at Bennett, played baseball, basketball and ran cross country. Not only did he receive All High honors in baseball{short stop} in 1961, Sam was named Most Outstanding Athlete that same year. He was also the captain of the ‘61 baseball and basketball teams his senior year.
After pitching a no-hitter in July, 1961, Sam entered Brockport State where he received All-State honors and the MVP award in 1964. He led the nation in stolen bases that same year and thereafter, declined a contract with the Detroit Tigers.
Sam is a retired teacher and administrator for the Buffalo Public School System. He has been married to his wife Nancy for 47 years and they are the proud parents of a son Scott, a lawyer in New York City, and daughter Aimee, a counselor at Erie Community College.