Kean University

Abner Benisch was one of the premier athletes at Newark State Teachers College (now Kean) in the years just prior to World War II. A two-sport student-athlete, he starred for the Black Knights in both basketball and tennis for four years.

Benisch captained the 1939-1940 basketball squad that was the first to play the expanded 19-game schedule, beginning the season in December rather than January. He was coached on that team by fellow Hall of Famer Willard Zweidinger.

On the tennis court, Benisch competed at first singles and first doubles all four of his years on the team. In his senior season, the captain was undefeated in his nine first singles matches.

For his athletic achievement, Benisch was named the school's outstanding male athlete for 1940, the same year he also received the Gold Basketball Award.

Benisch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1940.