Bethel High School (Hampton, Virginia)

Bethel High School
Address
1067 Big Bethel Road Hampton, Virginia, 23666  United States
Information
School district	Hampton City Schools
Superintendent	Dr. Patrick J. Russo
Principal	John A. Bailey
Assistant principals	John Karatsikis Jessica Ellison Tim Cason William Beverly
Dean	Craig Brehon (Boys) Yuette Disnew (Girls)
School type	Public high school
Grades	9-12
Language	English
Athletics conference	Virginia High School League AAA Peninsula District AAA Eastern Region
Rival	Hampton High School
Mascot	Bruins
Color(s)	Green and Gold
Founded	1968
Enrollment	2,014 (2005-06)
Homepage	http://bhs.sbo.hampton.k12.va.us/

Bethel High School is a public high school located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. Bethel is one of four high schools located in the Hampton School District.

Demographics

Student Ethnicity Source: VA Dept. of Education, 2004-2005 Ethnicity This School State Average

• Black 62% 27%
• White, non-Hispanic 34% 60%
• Hispanic 2% 7%
• Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 5%
• American Indian/Alaska Native <1% <1%

Athletics

Bethel's athletic teams are nicknamed "Bruins" after UCLA, and the school colors green and gold are adopted from the Green Bay Packers. These were two popular choices since both were identified with championships when the school opened in the 1960s. The school won two football state championships in 1974 and 1976. Bethel is most famous for NBA superstar Allen Iverson having attended there. In 1993 Bethel not only won the state championship in basketball but football and girls track as well. Allen Iverson led the basketball team as a point guard, and the football team as the starting quarterback. He played iron man football, coming into the defensive secondary as needed, as well as returned kickoffs and punts. In the 2005-2006 basketball season the Bethel varsity basketball team enjoyed an undefeated regular season (27-0), number two ranking in the state and was led by Coach Craig Brehon and power forwards Duke Crews (All-American) and Jamel McLean. Duke Crews is currently attending the University of Tennessee. Jamel McLean is currently attending the University of Tulsa. It also has a successful track team who captured back to back state titles in 2005 and 2006. The boys track team attained a national championship in the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays in 2007 as well. Nathan Schy also won the 1998 AAA wrestling state championship. Bethel Football has enjoyed a Cinderella story for the 2007 season. Under 1st year coach Jeff Nelson and led by the performances of RB Jontel Evans,DB Marcus Cooperwood, and QB Aris Mcglone-English, the Bruins have stunned the Peninsula District by enjoying a 9-1 regular season, which its only loss came courtesy of crosstown rival and defending state champion Phoebus High School. They also beat Hampton High School for the 1st time since 1992. They defeated Ocean Lakes High School in the quarterfinals of the regional playoffs 23-6. The next week at Oscar Smith High School, The Bruins magical season came to an end with 39-3 defeat.

Extracurriculars

Army JROTC

As well as excelling in basketball and football, Bethel is also home to the largest and most accomplished Junior ROTC unit in Virginia. The Army JROTc Bruin Brigade has for the past decade fielded the top Marksmanship Team (air rifle) and Raiders Team at any level, and consistently one of the best Drill Teams and Honor guards of Southeast Virginia. As well, the Brigade has achieved some of the highest scores possible during Regional Formal Inspections. These three year inspections test an Army JROTC unit in all areas, and gauge its overall proficiency as a unit. The Bruin Brigade Marksmanship Team (known locally as "The Rifle Team"), with assistance from Lafayette Gun Club in adjacent York County, has dominated the local Old Dominion Junior Rifle League, and has been invited to compete nationally twice. The Bethel Bruin Marksmanship Team was denied the opportunity to compete, however, due to administrative decision. The team has sent at least one marksman to a Division 1 NCAA School (Air Force Academy), and at least one more shooter likely to gain a scholarship in the near future. The Raiders Team has seen both rough and good times, but as of 2005, it officially became the top Army team in Southeast Virginia. It has seen a chain of consistently strong leadership, and has produced several Air Force Academy, Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Tech officer candidates, as well as a large number of enlisted in all branches. Those who have graduated from the afforementioned military schools have been awarded pilot, infantry, and special forces assignments.

Professional Education

Bethel's AJROTC and athletic achievements are supported by a number of programs specifically tailored by the administration toward education in commercial activities. Projects like the FIRM, a large base of business classes, Governor's School opportunities offering college credit, fashion programs, and other such university style programs allow students to pursue a course in high school similar to their expected college major.

Bruin Band

In January 2006, the Bethel High School Marching Band was selected to march in the Governor's Inaugural in Williamsburg, being the only band in the district to receive that honor. In addition, the marching band was selected to participate in the 2008 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl halftime show in Jacksonville, Florida as well as the 2007 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia. In May 2007, the Concert and Jazz bands swept the "Music in the Parks" competition in Cleveland, Ohio with addition of the best solo played by Becky Paul on Fluglehorn. This 2007 marching band season gave spectators flashbacks of Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Minnie Riperton and Tom Jones with a "Las Vegas" themed show. All bands at Bethel are under the direction of Chris Murray.

Notable alumni

• Allen Iverson, guard for the Denver Nuggets.
• Tony Rutland, shooting guard and MVP - European Basketball
• Shaun Gayle, captain of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears football team.
• Jimmy Williams, defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons
• Chris Ellis, defensive end for Virginia Tech football
• Willard "Duke" Crews, member of the 2006 Mcdonald's All American basketball team