Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Benny Max Kennerly was a standout athlete for Lenoir-Rhyne College from 1959 to 1962 and was an important member of some fine units in both football and baseball during that time.  A native of Concord, N.C., Kennerly attended Lenoir-Rhyne following an outstanding athletic career at Concord High School.  His talents carried him to eight letters while a Bear - four in both football and baseball.  It was football that Kennerly contributed the most and he was a key part of what many consider the single greatest successful stretch of any Bears athletic team in the school's history.  From 1959-62, Kennerly and the Bear gridiron squad won 40 games, lost only three and tied two others.  Three of those years - 1959, 1960 and 1962 - the Bears advanced to the NAIA National Championship game.  Kennerly was an outstanding player on those nationally-touted teams.  After playing guard and tackle his first season with the Bears, the coaching staff decided to take advantage of his athletic ability and moved him to tight end.  In 1960, he was named the team's Most Improved Player.  For three straight years (1960-62), he earned all-district and all-conference honors.  In 1962, Kennerly (a team captain), was named to the Greensboro Daily News All-State Collegiate Team and also was tabbed as the Outstanding Lineman in the NAIA Semifinal win over Northern State (S.D.).  Following his graduation in 1963, Kennerly entered the business world and was very successful.  After a stint with Travelers Insurance Company, he joined Josten's, Inc.  Three times, Kennerly was named Josten's "Salesman of the Year" in the Southeast Region.  Kennerly also joined the prestigious Admirals Club and served as Scoutmaster for Concord Troop 144 for eight years and coached in the Boy's Club Pop Warner Football league.