| Benjamin Russell High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
225 Heard Boulevard 35010 | |
| Coordinates | 32°56′16″N 85°57′03″W / 32.9378°N 85.9508°W / 32.9378; -85.9508 |
| 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
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
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
- 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
- ^ Ellis, Emma (June 6, 2025). "Alex City Schools superintendent gives update on new high school construction". www.wsfa.com.
- ^ "Benjamin Russell – the Alabama Business Hall of Fame | the University of Alabama".
- ^ "About - Benjamin Russell High School". brhs.alexcityschools.net.
- ^ Kennedy, Randy (November 29, 2025). "Saraland beats Benjamin Russell, advances to 4th straight title game". al.
- ^ https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/alabama/districts/alexander-city/benjamin-russell-high-school-16
- ^ a b Walls, Peggy (19 July 2021). Lost Towns of Central Alabama. History Press. ISBN 978-1-4396-7305-8. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ "Auditorium Set For High School At Alex City". The Columbus Ledger. 1960-11-26. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ^ Walls, Peggy Jackson (19 July 2021). Lost Towns of Central Alabama. Arcadia. ISBN 978-1-4671-4519-0.
- ^ "Spook Insurance Rates High As 'Dimes' Aid". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. 1971-10-27. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ^ Gayle, Tim (January 27, 2025). "Catholic's Kirk Johnson takes coaching job at Benjamin Russell". Montgomery Independent.
- ^ "AHSAA News | Central, Clay County set to face Benjamin Russell in Classic Battle at Alexander City". www.ahsaa.com.
- ^ https://www.ahsfhs.org/coaches/coachestop.asp?Coach=Steve%20Savarese
- ^ https://alabamanewscenter.com/2019/03/08/football-taken-willie-carl-martin-alabama-around-world/
- ^ "Alexander City names stadium for 2 iconic HS football coaches". 31 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "Benjamin Russell (Alexander City, AL) Alumni Pro Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ "Jim Whatley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
