# Benjamin Russell High School

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**Benjamin Russell High School** is in [Alexander City, Alabama](/source/Alexander_City,_Alabama). It is part of [Alexander City Schools](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Clay_County_School_District_(Alabama)) where he won six state championships.[11] Steve Savareae also coached the team.[12]

## Alumni

- [Terrell Owens](/source/Terrell_Owens), football wide receiver
- [Willie Martin](/source/Willie_Martin_(Canadian_football)), football player in the CFL and football coach[13][14]
- [Eric Brock](/source/Eric_Brock_(safety)), football defensive back[15]
- [Scottie Vines](/source/Scottie_Vines), football wide receiver[15]
- [Robert Parker](/source/Robert_Parker_(American_football)), football running back[15]
- [Nathan Poole](/source/Nathan_Poole), football running back[15]
- [Red Phillips](/source/Jim_Phillips_(American_football)), football player[15]
- [Malcolm Simmons](/source/Malcolm_Simmons_(American_football)), football player
- [Jim Whatley](/source/Jim_Whatley), baseball player[15][16]

## References

1. Ellis, Emma (June 6, 2025). ["Alex City Schools superintendent gives update on new high school construction"](https://www.wsfa.com/2025/06/06/alex-city-schools-superintendent-gives-update-new-high-school-construction/). *www.wsfa.com*

1. ["Benjamin Russell – the Alabama Business Hall of Fame | the University of Alabama"](https://abhof.culverhouse.ua.edu/member/benjamin-russell/)

1. ["About - Benjamin Russell High School"](https://brhs.alexcityschools.net/about). *brhs.alexcityschools.net*

1. Kennedy, Randy (November 29, 2025). ["Saraland beats Benjamin Russell, advances to 4th straight title game"](https://al.com/highschoolsports/south/2025/11/saraland-beats-benjamin-russell-advances-to-4th-straight-title-game.html). *al*

1. [https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/alabama/districts/alexander-city/benjamin-russell-high-school-16](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/alabama/districts/alexander-city/benjamin-russell-high-school-16)

1. Walls, Peggy (19 July 2021). [*Lost Towns of Central Alabama*](https://books.google.com/books?id=LKCVEQAAQBAJ). History Press. ISBN 978-1-4396-7305-8. Retrieved 6 December 2025.

1. ["Auditorium Set For High School At Alex City"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-columbus-ledger-auditorium-set-for-h/186171995/). *The Columbus Ledger*. 1960-11-26. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-12-04.

1. Walls, Peggy Jackson (19 July 2021). [*Lost Towns of Central Alabama*](https://books.google.com/books?id=6Vs3EAAAQBAJ&dq=laurel+high+school+alexander+city+alabama&pg=PA126). Arcadia. ISBN 978-1-4671-4519-0.

1. ["Spook Insurance Rates High As 'Dimes' Aid"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daytona-beach-news-journal-spook-ins/186170712/). *The Daytona Beach News-Journal*. 1971-10-27. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-12-04.

1. Gayle, Tim (January 27, 2025). ["Catholic's Kirk Johnson takes coaching job at Benjamin Russell"](https://www.montgomeryindependent.com/sports/catholics-kirk-johnson-takes-coaching-job-at-benjamin-russell/article_7b89da04-dcc6-11ef-9025-9b11e3a7e154.html). *Montgomery Independent*

1. ["AHSAA News | Central, Clay County set to face Benjamin Russell in Classic Battle at Alexander City"](https://www.ahsaa.com/Media/AHSAANOW/News-Articles/central-clay-county-set-to-face-benjamin-russell-in-classic-battle-at-alexander-city). *www.ahsaa.com*

1. [https://www.ahsfhs.org/coaches/coachestop.asp?Coach=Steve%20Savarese](https://www.ahsfhs.org/coaches/coachestop.asp?Coach=Steve%20Savarese)

1. [https://alabamanewscenter.com/2019/03/08/football-taken-willie-carl-martin-alabama-around-world/](https://alabamanewscenter.com/2019/03/08/football-taken-willie-carl-martin-alabama-around-world/)

1. ["Alexander City names stadium for 2 iconic HS football coaches"](https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2019/08/alexander-city-names-stadium-for-2-iconic-hs-football-coaches.html). 31 August 2019.

1. ["Benjamin Russell (Alexander City, AL) Alumni Pro Stats"](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b9ee04). *[Pro-Football-Reference.com](/source/Pro-Football-Reference.com)*

1. ["Jim Whatley Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College"](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhatJi20.htm). *[Pro-Football-Reference.com](/source/Pro-Football-Reference.com)*

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Benjamin Russell High School](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Russell_High_School) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Russell_High_School?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.