Benjamin Russell High School
| Benjamin Russell High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
225 Heard Boulevard 35010 | |
| Coordinates | Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found. |
| Information | |
| School type | Public |
| Established | 1950 |
| School district | Alexander City Schools |
| NCES District ID | 0100030 |
| Superintendent | Jose Reyes Jr. |
| NCES School ID | 010003000003 |
| Principal | Shannon Benefield |
| Teaching staff | 51 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 843 (2023-2024) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 16.53 |
| Colors | Red, White, Blue |
| Mascot | Wildcat |
| Website | https://brhs.alexcityschools.net/ |
Benjamin Russell High School is in Alexander City, Alabama. It is part of Alexander City Schools. It is at 225 Heard Boulevard. In 2025, a new high school building was under construction.[1] The school is named for an entrepreneur whose businesses include Russell Athletic.[2]
In 2025 it had 813 students in grades 9 to 12. It had 16 sports teams and 19 clubs.[3] Wildcats are the school's mascot.[4]
The student body is about 40 percent white and black and 11 percent hispanic.[5]
History
[edit | edit source]The school was first established in 1950.[6] In 1960, a $285,000 auditorium was built as part of a $100 million school construction bond issue.[7] Black students attended Laurel High School in it merged with Russell in 1971.[8]
In 1971, the school received national attention after students created an informal business called "spook insurance." Homeowners would pay the students a fee of $1.00 for free cleanup services if their houses were vandalized on Halloween.[9] The school was racially integrated following the merger of two other high schools that same year.[6]
Athletics
[edit | edit source]Kirk Johnson is the football team's coach since 2025.[10] Danny Horn coached the team from 2009 to 2018 before moving on to Clay County High School where he won six state championships.[11] Steve Savareae also coached the team.[12]
Alumni
[edit | edit source]- Terrell Owens, football wide receiver
- Willie Martin, football player in the CFL and football coach[13][14]
- Eric Brock, football defensive back[15]
- Scottie Vines, football wide receiver[15]
- Robert Parker, football running back[15]
- Nathan Poole, football running back[15]
- Red Phillips, football player[15]
- Malcolm Simmons, football player
- Jim Whatley, baseball player[15][16]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ https://abhof.culverhouse.ua.edu/member/benjamin-russell/
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/alabama/districts/alexander-city/benjamin-russell-high-school-16
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=6Vs3EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA126&dq=laurel+high+school+alexander+city+alabama&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB6sbw_6-RAxV0TDABHWJPBDkQ6AF6BAgNEAM
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ https://www.ahsfhs.org/coaches/coachestop.asp?Coach=Steve%20Savarese
- ^ https://alabamanewscenter.com/2019/03/08/football-taken-willie-carl-martin-alabama-around-world/
- ^ https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2019/08/alexander-city-names-stadium-for-2-iconic-hs-football-coaches.html
- ^ a b c d e f https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b9ee04
- ^ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhatJi20.htm