Harry Bentley Jr (2012)

Harry Bentley Jr. affectionately known as “Gentle Ben,” accepted a scholarship to Miles College and played offensive and defensive tackle on the Golden Bears football team from 1967 to 1971. The football team was led by Coaches T. J. Knox, Ocie Brown and Arthur Wilkinson. Mr. Bentley was also a member of the track team. Mr. Bentley was selected for honorable mention as Most Outstanding Freshman by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (“SIAC”). After college, Harry Bentley returned to Miles College as offensive line coach for eight years. The offensive line was rated as outstanding in the 1986—1 987 football seasons, when Miles College won SIAC championship. Mr. Bentley also served as Director of Sports and Community Activities for the Birmingham Housing Authority for five years, coaching little league football and baseball teams. He was employed by the State of Indiana as a Steam Plant Operator until his retirement in 2011. Harry Bentley, Jr. and his wife, Jeanette, have seven (7) children, thirteen (13) grandchildren, and three (3) great grandchildren. In recalling his playing days as a Golden Bear, Harry Bentley, Jr. says he played football on both sides of the line, and he relishes the successes he achieved as offensive line coach.
         

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