Benton Harbor High School

History

The current high school opened on August 29, 1921, being dedicated the following September 15. The school's main outdoor athletic facility, Filstrup Field, opened in October 1924.

In 2009, the school received a $52,000 grant from the U.S. federal government's stimulus program to upgrade its cafeteria equipment. The school was eligible for the grant because more than half its students were eligible to receive free or reduced-cost school meals.

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 613 students enrolled in 2016-17 was:

• Male - 50.7%
• Female - 49.3%
• Black - 94.5%
• Hispanic - 2.1%
• White - 1.8%
• Multiracial - 1.6%

63.6% of the students were eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch. In 2016–17, Benton Harbor was a Title I school.

Athletics

The Benton Harbor Tigers compete in the Lakeland Conference. The school colors are orange and black. The following Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) sanctioned sports are offered:

• Baseball (boys)
• Basketball (girls and boys)
  • Boys state champion - 1941, 1944, 1964, 1965, 2018
  • Girls state champion - 2009
• Cross country (girls and boys)
• Football (boys)
• Golf (boys)
• Softball (girls)
• Track (girls and boys)
  • Boys state champion - 1941, 1950, 1970
  • Girls state champion - 1984
• Volleyball (girls)
• Wrestling (boys)

Notable alumni

• Joique Bell, NFL football player
• Chris Burkam, MLB player (St. Louis Browns)
• Wilson Chandler, NBA player, first round pick (#23) in draft; named Mr. Basketball in 2005
• Tyrone Evans Clark, filmmaker, actor, video game designer, and musician
• Kysre Gondrezick, WNBA basketball player
• Don Hopkins, MLB player (Oakland Athletics)
• Ernie Hudson, actor
• Iris Kyle, professional bodybuilder
• Dave Machemer, professional baseball player
• Anthony Miller, NBA player for several teams
• William Perigo, former University of Michigan basketball head coach, coached Benton Harbor High
• Jim Reynolds, former Canadian football player
• Sinbad, comedian and actor
• Chet Walker, NBA basketball player in Hall of Fame
• Robert Whaley, NBA player

References

References

1. "Benton Harbor High School". National Center for Education Statistics.
2. Wrege, Louise. (October 5, 2024). "A brief history of Filstrup Field". [[The Herald-Palladium]].
3. (August 29, 1921). "New High School to Have Big Enrollment". [[The Herald-Palladium.
4. (September 16, 1921). "Schools Must Teach Accuracy, Education, Says President Burton at Dedication". The News-Palladium.
5. (October 1, 1924). "Mayor in Proclamation Asks City to Acknowledge Gift of Filstrup Field". The News-Palladium.
6. (July 23, 2009). "Benton Harbor High School's lunch program captures largest federal stimulus chunk". WSBT Television.
7. (17 December 2021). "New athletic conference gets the go-ahead from school boards".
8. "MHSAA > Schools".
9. "Yearly Champions | Boys Basketball | MHSAA Sports".
10. "Yearly Champions | Girls Basketball | MHSAA Sports".
11. "Team Champions | Boys Track & Field | MHSAA Sports".
12. "Team Champions | Girls Track & Field | MHSAA Sports".
13. "Chauncey Burkam Stats {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com".
14. (27 September 2021). "Did Tyrone Evans Clark go to college?".
15. Cotsirilos Thomopoulos, Elaine. (2003). "St. Joseph and Benton Harbor". [[Arcadia Publishing]].
16. (22 June 1978). "Machemer's Debut Hit". [[The Herald-Palladium]].