Doing what’s Best for Kids: Bennie Bennett’s Legacy

CLOVER, SC - For Black History Month, the Roaring Eagle chose to highlight one of Clover’s most well-known citizens, Mr. Bennie Bennett.

Because of Mr. Bennett’s impact on athletes, students, and citizens of Clover, Clover High School’s (CHS) Blue Eagle mascot was named Bennie, with BEN representing Bennett and Blue Eagle Nation. The naming of the Blue Eagle was one way CHS continues to honor the legacy of this remarkable Clover citizen and educator.

Bennett has made his mark in Clover’s history. Coming from humble beginnings, Mr. Bennett grew up in a socially segregated area, as his parents were sharecroppers.

Mrs. Frankie Bennett, his wife, shared how his school was “segregated but desegregated.” Mrs. Bennett explained how his school still separated proms, having a “white queen and a black queen” in 1976.

Having been accustomed to such environments, Bennett had no issue transitioning to Winthrop College and joining Winthrop’s basketball team. This led to his many great accomplishments, including being the first to gain 1,000 points and being a career leader in eight different categories, such as free throws, assists, and field goals.

His sports career didn’t end in college, and he transitioned into being a coach. Bailey Jackson, a former athlete coached by Bennett, remembered how Bennett taught them “how to work hard, play hard, and didn’t take anything less than our best.”

He pushed for the best from students and athletes, yet did it with grace. He’s remembered as being competitive yet kind, with Jackson citing how Bennett made sure to let him know he was proud. He was influential to the community, often inspiring people to work in Clover.

Bennett’s career in education continued off the courts as he became Clover School District’s first African American assistant superintendent.

And that’s a shortened list of his accomplishments. He worked as the first African American athletic director, then assistant principal for CHS from 1993-1998, then became the first black superintendent for the Clover School District in 2002. Bennett was named Newberry Superintendent in 2006. He served there until his death on April 16th, 2016, in an automobile accident in Newberry, SC.

The most important thing to know about Bennett was how he cared. Mrs. Bennett shared that he didn’t talk about being the first at anything but rather about doing what’s best for kids. And it’s safe to say that even after his death, he’s doing just that. Since his passing, many scholarships have been named in his honor for both 4-year and technical colleges.

Bennie Bennett has made a mark on our town that will live on forever.