From the Bench: BHS Football's Lindy Bennett Tribute Done in Honor of Late Principal's Lasting Impact
By Jeff Toquinto on September 01, 2024 from Sports Blog
Long-time Bridgeport football Coach John Cole cannot remember the year. What he can remember is who he was with, what took place, and why.
“It was back one year when we bounced from Class AA to AAA and (the WVSSAC) told us our visitor’s bleachers (which had a condemned section) didn’t have enough capacity to allow us to host a playoff game,” said Cole. “We had a struggle getting new bleachers to replace the ones needing replaced and eventually they came. But they weren’t put together, so we thought we were going to have a problem.”
As it turned out, there was no problem. Bridgeport had a secret weapon, or rather person, to take care of it. It was the same person honored by the Indians’ football team Friday night in their season-opening game against Buckhannon-Upshur.
There, on the back of each helmet, was a sticker that had the letters “LB” on it. It was not for linebacker, but something more critical to not only the current health of BHS football, but the health of Bridgeport High School in its totality.
The “LB” was for Lindy Bennett. As most know, Bennett passed away on June 7 of this year at the age of 84 after a battle with cancer.
Bennett spent 43 years in the education system with the bulk of that coming as principal at Bridgeport High School from 1985 to 2006.
To say that Bennett loved his students at Bridgeport High School and the school itself would be an understatement. The story Cole told not 
only proves it but is a testament to Bennett’s love for the football program (and essentially any program) at BHS.
only proves it but is a testament to Bennett’s love for the football program (and essentially any program) at BHS.
Cole was with then with former head Coach Bruce Carey. The bleachers had already been delivered. A group of people, Cole said, had put the platform together, but the individual rows of bleachers needed to be installed.
The person who did most of the work?
“Bruce and I would walk out on the field before a practice at 6:30 a.m. and there was Mr. Bennett with a socket and a wrench putting things together. He had help with the platform and I’m sure he had some help after that, but for about two months later in the evening and early in the morning, Mr. Bennett would be there by himself putting them together,” said Cole. “He would have done that for any athletic, academic, or extra-curricular program if he thought it would benefit our students. Seeing that, even to this day, told me everything I needed to know about him.”
Cole’s take on Bennett is not unusual. However, he is the only member of the coaching staff to have been on the sidelines during almost every single year Bennett was principal.
“The stickers are a testament to him. I guess you would say they’re sign of ultimate respect this program has for him because of his
impact on it,” said Cole. “I just wish I would have thought of it because there are few people I respected more as a person, a boss, and as a friend.”
impact on it,” said Cole. “I just wish I would have thought of it because there are few people I respected more as a person, a boss, and as a friend.”
Cole was thrilled the team could do something in honor of Bennett. For two decades he stood at the gates of BHS and at the same time represented Bridgeport High School anywhere in West Virginia.
“He loved his students and wanted to help them and wanted to make sure they were recognized and honored. If they were honored, Mr. Bennett was there, and it didn’t matter where,” said Cole. “It was the same whether it was something in the classroom or athletics. I’m not sure there was ever a time when he was principal that I wouldn’t see him in the stands at every game, home or away. He even followed us for years after he retired.”
The traits Cole described are what helped distinguish Bennett from a lengthy line of quality administrators in the Mountain State. Outside of Alice Rowe, it is highly unlikely anyone could match the number of hours given to the school he led.
“He lived at this school,” said Cole. “He was just such a hard worker and such a great boss. He gave teachers the ability to do what we did best, and that was teach and let us know he had our backs. It was the same for the coaches at the school and any program. If you needed a resource, he either got it for your or did his best to help you get it.”
Coach Tyler Phares never taught or coached with Lindy Bennett at the helm. He did, however, get to know him, and has heard the stories.
“I’ve met him. Since I’ve been here and think he’s been to every football game,” said Phares. “Coach Cole has told me plenty of stories, too, including him putting the bleachers together and, essentially, just working his tail off to make sure things got done. That is no small task.
“He was such a huge part of this school and community, even after retirement, I wish we could find a way to do even more,” Phares, who said he did not hesitate to do the stickers when asked. “He was Bridgeport High School, and because of that, he was Bridgeport football. It’s only right we honor someone with his importance.”
It is certain Cole would agree with his colleague’s assessment.
“The sticker is a way to let everyone know we respected Mr. Bennett and let the kids know the standard they have always been expected to meet was built on by Mr. Bennett,” said Cole. “I hope he knows, and his family know, the sticker is honoring him for everything he did.”
Editor's Note: Top photo is of assistant Coach John Cole and third photo is of current head Coach Tyler Phares. In the second photo, the LB sticker is shown just after it was placed on a helmet Wednesday of this week.
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