SHS Hall of Famer and former SDOC looses battle with Cancer

Cancer has claimed the life of an inaugural member of the Seneca High School (SHS) Athletic Hall of Fame and a former employee of the School District of Oconee County (SDOC). Monday morning, 63-year-old Bennie Cunningham passed away at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. He graduated from SHS in 1972 and went on to star for the Clemson Tigers football team as an All-American tight end from 1972-75. He was a first round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1976, winning two Super Bowl titles with the team. Following his NFL career, Cunningham became a guidance counselor at West-Oak High School in the SDOC in the earlier 1990s. Oconee County Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Thorsland said he will be missed. “It’s sad for the entire community. the Cunningham family is very well respected and certainly Bennie was a big part of that. he played an important role at West-Oak High School and in the SDOC as kind of an athletic hero from SHS and going on to play college and professional ball. So, certainly a sad day and we’ll certainly be praying for the Cunningham as they mourn his passing.” Cunningham retired from the SDOC in 2013.