Bennett has worked as a physical education teacher, basketball coach, athletic director,
assistant principal, principal and school superintendent. The Dream Keeper Award recognizes exemplary displays of committed service to the
tenets of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Dedicated educator, standout coach and former athlete,
consummate dreamer — the late Bennie Bennett '81, '88 was a man of many gifts who played a vital role in the York County community.
For his legacy of community involvement and service, he received the 2016 Dream Keeper Award posthumously at the Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast in Rock Hill.
Bennett's wife, Frankie Wright Bennett '81, '84, and his children, Kelly and Brittany, accepted the award during the annual breakfast. Sylvia Berry, director of teacher
recruitment for Rock Hill Schools District 3, presented the award and noted that Bennett always "capitalized on opportunities for impact."
"Establishing first a reputation built around sports, then a legacy of educational
excellence and community engagement, Bennie Bennett touched the lives of thousands of individuals in and around York County," said Berry.
She added that his life "remains an inspiration."
Bennett, the former superintendent for the Newberry County School District, met his wife
at Winthrop, where he was a member of the first men's basketball team and was the first male player to score 1,000 points. As a player, Bennett earned numerous accolades and was selected as team captain his
senior year. His jersey was retired at a special ceremony during Winthrop's 2016 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend in November.
The New Zion, South Carolina, native earned two degrees at Winthrop: a B.S. in physical
education (minor in leisure services) and a M.Ed. in education administration and
supervision. He began his post-Winthrop career as a physical education teacher and
junior varsity basketball coach in Clover, then moved to Fort Mill High School to
continue teaching and coaching basketball at the high school level. Later in his career,
Bennett became head basketball coach at Clover High School (CHS) before being appointed assistant
principal, athletic director and principal at CHS.
Bennett, a member of the York County Sports Hall of Fame and the Winthrop Athletics Hall
of Fame, was named Regional Basketball Coach of the Year five times. Winthrop's Department of Physical Education, Sport, & Human Performance awarded Bennett Distinguished Alumni honors in 2000, and he was a member of the Winthrop Varsity Club. The South Carolina
Department of Education selected him as a mentor principal, and in 2009 Bennett was named the South Carolina Association of Athletic Administrators' Superintendent
of the Year.
The Newberry, South Carolina, resident also stayed active within his community. He
was involved in United Way, and he served as a volunteer mentor in the Big Brother
program and a member of the York County Board of Disabilities. Bennett was a member
of the Epsilon Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc., and an active member
of Pineville AME Zion Church.
For more information, contact Meredith Carter, communications coordinator, at carterm@winthrop.edu
or 803/323-2236.
