Following in the footsteps of her big sister Allison, junior point guard Stephanie Bennett, one of the best three point shooters in school history, came to Buffalo to continue the family basketball tradition.
The 5-foot 8-inch Bennett is originally from Springfield, Ohio and has been surrounded by athletics her entire life.
"I lived in a neighborhood with tons of kids who were all my age, so playing outside and playing sports was something I did all the time," Bennett said. "Every time we had family events it would be sports themed. Thanksgiving would be football, Christmas would be basketball and Easter would be whiffle ball. It was a lot of fun."
Bennett didn't waste any time introducing herself to basketball, as she started playing at the age of eight.
"My dad had started a team with my sister and they kind of dragged me along," Bennett said. "Where I was from, the high school program was really great. I started to get into AAU as we got older to get better, and I just fell in love with it."
"Steph" as her teammates and friends call her, made the transition to Buffalo from Springfield to continue her basketball career. Bennett has had some great memories, including being able to play with her sister at the collegiate level. Allison and Stephanie played at Buffalo together for the 2004-2005 season when Steph was a freshman.
"It was probably one of the best experiences I've ever had," Stephanie said. "Nobody has that opportunity. You have that love for your family member and your sister so much and they can share it in the same game that you love. It was just awesome."
Allison was more than just a sister to Stephanie during her time at Buffalo. Her older sibling acted as a mentor and leader for her on and off the court.
"Her presence helped me to relax, being a freshman with nerves," Bennett said. "She was just that person who was always at my side, for confidence and encouragement. It allowed me to play better knowing she was there."
Putting family before everything, Bennett brings the same mentality to the locker room.
"The best way to describe Steph is just a great person, on and off the court," said junior forward Heather Turner. "She is always there for you and sticks by your side. On the court she is a great leader, she keeps us focused and in the game. She is a great friend and sister and a one of a kind person."
"This team means so much to me and we have come so far together and are always growing." Bennett said. "They are my sisters and our chemistry has started to click and we are starting to get it and build things."
With big goals besides hoops, Bennett knows the importance of doing her best and putting in the effort where needed. Being a physical therapy major and a Division I athlete, it is not an easy task to balance school and sports.
"Academically I wanted to keep above a 3.0 in my major and at first I didn't know how difficult that would be. It's hard, especially when you are on the road trying to play catch up," Bennett said. "Athletically, I have always wanted to build this program and just work on the process of always getting better. When I leave here I want this program to be that successful program. No personal goal, just do the best that I can and work hard."
Making decisions and calling plays is easy for Bennett on the court. Figuring out her career goals is the big decision she's working on now.
"I was dead set on PT, but over the years the physician assistant program has opened up and I have learned a lot about it and it has kind of changed my mind a little bit," Bennett said. "I am in-between finishing PT or am I going to finish exercise science and go on to being a PA."
Like many players, Bennett has superstitions that she must follow before every game.
"I am superstitious so I will wear the same socks before every game," Bennett said. "I always take a power nap, listen to my music to get ready to go and say a quick prayer."
Bennett never had an athlete she looked up to, no big idol needed to help her along the way. A familiar subject was what has helped her become who she is today.
"It has really been my family and my father," Bennett said. "They have helped me to keep going and keep working, in basketball and as a person."
Being remembered as a person isn't what Bennett wanted. Once again she puts her team and family over herself.
"I don't know if I want people to remember me as much as I want them to remember the women's basketball team," Bennett said. "Hopefully they will remember a rise coming out of the women's basketball program."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
