Benedictine Military School
Encyclopedia
Benedictine Military School (also referred to as Benedictine or BC) is a Benedictine
, military
, all-male high school
located in Savannah, Georgia
, United States
. It was founded in 1902 by Benedictine monks and is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
.
The Benedictine
monks landed at Priests' Landing near Modena Island, led by Bishop Leo Haid
, off the coast of Savannah
in 1874. The monks were mostly of German descent, and shortly began missionary work amongst newly freed slaves. Later, under the control of Belmont Abbey
of North Carolina, the Benedictines established an abbey at 31st and Habersham Streets. Recognizing the need for a Catholic
boys' school in Savannah, they established Benedictine College in 1902. In 1906, the groundbreaking ceremony was performed on the ground that would become the school's campus on Bull Street. In 1920, the school changed their name to Benedictine School because of the confusion that Benedictine was a college
. However, the nickname "BC" stuck regardless. In 1963, the school moved to its current campus located on Seawright Drive on the southside of Savannah.
Shortly after moving to the new location, the Benedictines of Belmont Abbey turned the school over to Saint Vincent Archabbey
in Latrobe, Pennsylvania
. Along with this change came the removal of the four year mandatory military program, with reduction to two years mandatory.
and Seniors
, although normally around 80-85% of the Upper Classmen elect to remain in the JROTC Program. The JROTC program at Benedictine, with over three hundred fifty Cadets, is one of the largest in the Sixth ROTC Brigade. Reference for JROTC and all other parts of the school
Organization
Benedictine Military School organizes its military program based on an actual U.S. Army formation. Everyone in JROTC is part of the Brigade
, which is commanded by an outstanding Senior student with the rank of Cadet Colonel
, assisted by an Executive Officer (XO) who holds the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel
. Below that the unit's organization continues to follow traditional Army regulations- three Battalions each commanded by a Senior with the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and an XO with the rank of Cadet Major
; and nine Companies total, three in each Battalion, commanded by a Cadet Captain and a Cadet First Lieutenant
as XO, including a Headquarters Company (1st Battalion) and a Band Company (2nd Battalion), organized very differently than the seven "regular" companies (3rd Battalion is the only unit to have three regular companies, the others each have only two). In the seven regular companies (lettered A through G) are two platoons each, commanded by a Cadet First Lieutenant. The lowest level of command is a Squad
, usually commanded by a Junior with the rank of Cadet Sergeant First Class
; however, there are often a handful of Squads led by some outstanding Sophomores who hold the rank of Cadet Staff Sergeant
. Squad strengths vary but normally are around five or six, with at least two Squads assigned to each Platoon. Sometimes Fire Teams are organized, but they never operate independent of the Squad and their "leaders" (usually Sophomores) have little real responsibility or authority.
Another special unit that is part of Headquarters Company is the Brigade Color Guard
, consisting of anywhere from six to twelve Freshmen and Sophomores normally some of the top cadets commanded by a Cadet Staff Sergeant. The Brigade Color Guard is separate from the Varsity Color Guard team and the Drill Team
, which are considered quasi-sports teams that compete in multiple drill competitions in the Spring, with the first competition always taking place at Benedictine (others are held throughout South Georgia). The Brigade Color Guard takes part in numerous civic, military, and other public functions throughout the Savannah area during the school year, averaging several dozen. When the Brigade is completely formed up in marching order (such as during the St. Patrick's Day Parade) the Color Guard marches just behind the Brigade Commander and his staff in the front, with two riflemen (carrying real rifles that have been de-militarized) on the ends "protecting" the flag bearers in the middle, flying the U.S., Georgia, and Irish flags (the Irish flag is only carried during the Parade). During the Parade Battalion Color Guards are also temporarily formed, consisting of the two riflemen and a cadet carrying a JROTC flag. Each company also has a Guidon Bearer (a Freshman or Sophomore), who marches in front with the Company Commander.
The top ranks Freshmen and Sophomores may obtain are Cadet Corporal
and Cadet Staff Sergeant, respectively. The reason there are no Cadet Second Lieutenants in the Brigade is due to the fact that some JROTC units promote their juniors to officer rank and it was decided long ago that no BC Senior should be outranked by a Junior from another school. Juniors hold all senior NCO ranks, ranging from Cadet Sergeant First Class to Cadet Command Sergeant Major (CSM). All seniors are, of course, officers following the same rank structure as the regular Army.
The Brigade and each Battalion also have a full staff, once again organized like the Army. The Brigade Staff consists of an S-1 (Personnel/Administrative), S-3 (Plans and Operations), S-4 (Supply), and S-5 (Public Affairs). Each Brigade Staff Officer holds the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and each also has several assistants, including a Junior serving as a Sergeant Major
. There is also a Brigade Ordnance Officer, a Cadet Major, who serves under the Brigade S-4 (when marching he marches as part of HQ Company, not with the staff). Each Battalion also has an S-1, S-3, and S-4 who are Cadet Captains and have an NCO with the rank of Cadet Master Sergeant
to assist. Unlike the Army, the Battalion staff officers are really under the control of the Brigade Staff instead of the Battalion XO, which leaves the XO with little to do unless the CO is not present. There are also several other important NCO positions held by Juniors- the Brigade CSM, Battalion CSM (3), Company First Sergeant
(9), and Platoon Sergeants (who wear the stripes of a Master Sergeant). Normally, these positions lead to the corresponding positions Senior year (though some are moved around to fill the XO positions, which have no equivalent NCO position).
The JROTC unit at Benedictine Military School has held the honor of being an Honor Unit with Distinction, which means that it is one of the top JROTC programs in the entire country. Benedictine has held the honor ever since it was created. It is decided by a variety of factors, including "points" accumulated throughout the year for participating in public events and also the Regional Formal Inspection (RFI) held in February, conducted by officers and NCOs from U.S. Army Cadet Command who grade a wide range of factors (including a uniform inspection of the entire Brigade formed up at attention in Class A uniforms).
Staff/Instructors
The current Senior Army Instructor (SAI), who is in charge of the JROTC program, is Lieutenant Colonel John M. Owens III, USA. Colonel Owens, a 1961 graduate of BC and a 1965 graduate of The Citadel, also teaches the Senior JROTC class and has been the SAI since 1986 immediately after retiring from the Army, where he served in the Armor/Cavalry Branch. Teaching the Junior class and is Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Carl, who served in the Quartermaster Corps in the Army. In addition Chief Carl serves as the Supply Officer (basically S-4) and is the Coach for the Drill Team. The Sophomore JROTC class is taught by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Don Schaefer, who served as a Helicopter Pilot in the Aviation Branch while in the Army. Chief Schaefer, the newest member of the unit's staff (arriving in 2003), also holds the position of Operations Officer (basically S-3) and Coach of the Rifle Team. The only NCO of the outfit is Master Sergeant Reinaldo Osorio, who served as a Medic and is the first instructor new cadets will experience as he teaches the Freshman JROTC class. Sergeant Osorio is also in charge of Personnel/Administration (basically S-1), is the advisor to the Brigade Color Guard, and serves as Coach of the Varsity Color Guard. In addition to the four full-time instructors Sergeant First Class Anderson, who normally is only on campus for Drill period on Monday and Wednesday, serves as the instructor for the Band. All of the instructors are retired from the U.S. Army with nearly a century of service total, not including their years at BC. They also hold many high military awards and decorations both from America and foreign countries including Six Bronze Stars with Valor device (LTC Owens), Purple Heart
(LTC Owens), Legion of Merit
(MSG Osorio), Air Medal
with Valor device (CW4 Schaefer), and Meritorious Service Medal
(LTC Owens, CW4 Schaefer, CW3 Carl, MSG Osorio).
Benedictine won state championships in baseball (1961), and golf (1983, 1985, 1993). During the 2009-2010 school year BC won 8 region 2-AA championships. The athletic program finished 2nd in the Boys' Athletic Director's Cup Standings which recognizes the best athletic programs in the state. In the past 8 years BC has finished no lower than 17th in the Cup standings including 4 Top 10 finishes.
The Benedictine football program ranks 22nd in all-time wins in the state of Georgia and has won 7 region titles. Benedictine football games have traditionally been played at Memorial Stadium
since the 1960s, following decades of home games at Grayson Stadium in Daffin Park.
The school's senior military cadets are commissioned as JROTC officers at a school-wide ceremony on a Saturday night in late September. Freshmen Cadets are required to bring dates for the ceremony and dance afterward. One tradition is for each senior's date to fervently try to put on his newly-acquired ranks on his epaulets as quickly as possible once instructed.
There has been a football rivalry with Savannah High School since the 1920s; a past tradition of many decades was the Thanksgiving Day contest between the two schools.
George K. Gannam, a 1938 Benedictine graduate, was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor
and was the first Savannah resident to die during World War II. The school holds a military review and formal ceremony on or around Pearl Harbor Day (December 7) each year to commemorate Staff Sergeant Gannam. The American Legion
Post 184, named in his honor, presents the Gannam Award to the most outstanding sophomore cadet, and the God and Country Award to an outstanding senior cadet. The school presents the Gannam family an American flag which, in turn, the Gannam family gives back to the school to fly on the flagpole for the following year.
The Benedictine fight song is sung to the tune of the Washington and Lee Swing
. Upperclassmen expect Freshmen to correctly recite the fight song within the first days of a new school year. The song is sung by students, alumni, and friends at almost every athletic and school sponsored events.
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
, military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
, all-male high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was founded in 1902 by Benedictine monks and is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southern United States comprising the southern counties of the state of Georgia...
.
History
| Leo Haid's coat of arms, a lion with ten stars above (symbolizing the ten priests that first arrived), is still used to this day at Benedictine. |
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monks landed at Priests' Landing near Modena Island, led by Bishop Leo Haid
Leo Michael Haid
Leo Michael Haid, O.S.B. was an Benedictine abbot and Catholic bishop serving as Abbot of the Abbey of Mary Help of Christians, in Belmont, North Carolina from 1885-1924 and as Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina from 1888-1910 and Territorial Abbot from 1910-1924.-Biography:Haid was born July 15,...
, off the coast of Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
in 1874. The monks were mostly of German descent, and shortly began missionary work amongst newly freed slaves. Later, under the control of Belmont Abbey
Belmont Abbey, North Carolina
Mary Help of Christians Abbey, better known as Belmont Abbey, is a small community of Benedictine monks in the town of Belmont, North Carolina, outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, in the United States. Founded by Bishop Leo Haid in 1876, it is the daughter abbey to St. Vincent's Abbey in Latrobe,...
of North Carolina, the Benedictines established an abbey at 31st and Habersham Streets. Recognizing the need for a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
boys' school in Savannah, they established Benedictine College in 1902. In 1906, the groundbreaking ceremony was performed on the ground that would become the school's campus on Bull Street. In 1920, the school changed their name to Benedictine School because of the confusion that Benedictine was a college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
. However, the nickname "BC" stuck regardless. In 1963, the school moved to its current campus located on Seawright Drive on the southside of Savannah.
Shortly after moving to the new location, the Benedictines of Belmont Abbey turned the school over to Saint Vincent Archabbey
Saint Vincent Archabbey
Saint Vincent Archabbey, was founded in 1846 by Father Boniface Wimmer, OSB, and is the oldest Benedictine monastery in the United States.The Benedictine monks of Saint Vincent Archabbey operate and teach at Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, located ...
in Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Latrobe is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in the United States, approximately southeast of Pittsburgh.The city population was 7,634 as of the 2000 census . It is located near the Pennsylvania's scenic Chestnut Ridge. Latrobe was incorporated as a borough in 1854, and as a city in 1999...
. Along with this change came the removal of the four year mandatory military program, with reduction to two years mandatory.
Academics
The academic curriculum offers studies in the fields of mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, arts, and military science.JROTC
Enrollment in the U.S. Army JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) program is mandatory for Freshmen and Sophomores. Enrollment is optional for JuniorsEleventh grade
Eleventh Grade is the eleventh, and for some countries final, grade of secondary schools. Students are typically 16 or 17 years of age, depending on the country and the students' birthdays.-Brazil:...
and Seniors
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
, although normally around 80-85% of the Upper Classmen elect to remain in the JROTC Program. The JROTC program at Benedictine, with over three hundred fifty Cadets, is one of the largest in the Sixth ROTC Brigade. Reference for JROTC and all other parts of the school
Organization
Benedictine Military School organizes its military program based on an actual U.S. Army formation. Everyone in JROTC is part of the Brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
, which is commanded by an outstanding Senior student with the rank of Cadet Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
, assisted by an Executive Officer (XO) who holds the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
. Below that the unit's organization continues to follow traditional Army regulations- three Battalions each commanded by a Senior with the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and an XO with the rank of Cadet Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
; and nine Companies total, three in each Battalion, commanded by a Cadet Captain and a Cadet First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
as XO, including a Headquarters Company (1st Battalion) and a Band Company (2nd Battalion), organized very differently than the seven "regular" companies (3rd Battalion is the only unit to have three regular companies, the others each have only two). In the seven regular companies (lettered A through G) are two platoons each, commanded by a Cadet First Lieutenant. The lowest level of command is a Squad
Squad
In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section...
, usually commanded by a Junior with the rank of Cadet Sergeant First Class
Sergeant First Class
Sergeant First Class is the seventh enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, and is the first senior non-commissioned officer rank...
; however, there are often a handful of Squads led by some outstanding Sophomores who hold the rank of Cadet Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
. Squad strengths vary but normally are around five or six, with at least two Squads assigned to each Platoon. Sometimes Fire Teams are organized, but they never operate independent of the Squad and their "leaders" (usually Sophomores) have little real responsibility or authority.
Another special unit that is part of Headquarters Company is the Brigade Color Guard
Color guard
In the military of the United States and other militaries, the color guard carries the National Color and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command. Typically these include a unit flag and a departmental flag...
, consisting of anywhere from six to twelve Freshmen and Sophomores normally some of the top cadets commanded by a Cadet Staff Sergeant. The Brigade Color Guard is separate from the Varsity Color Guard team and the Drill Team
Drill team
A drill team can be one of four different entities:# A Military Drill Team is marching unit that performs routines based on military drill. Military drill teams perform either armed or unarmed....
, which are considered quasi-sports teams that compete in multiple drill competitions in the Spring, with the first competition always taking place at Benedictine (others are held throughout South Georgia). The Brigade Color Guard takes part in numerous civic, military, and other public functions throughout the Savannah area during the school year, averaging several dozen. When the Brigade is completely formed up in marching order (such as during the St. Patrick's Day Parade) the Color Guard marches just behind the Brigade Commander and his staff in the front, with two riflemen (carrying real rifles that have been de-militarized) on the ends "protecting" the flag bearers in the middle, flying the U.S., Georgia, and Irish flags (the Irish flag is only carried during the Parade). During the Parade Battalion Color Guards are also temporarily formed, consisting of the two riflemen and a cadet carrying a JROTC flag. Each company also has a Guidon Bearer (a Freshman or Sophomore), who marches in front with the Company Commander.
The top ranks Freshmen and Sophomores may obtain are Cadet Corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
and Cadet Staff Sergeant, respectively. The reason there are no Cadet Second Lieutenants in the Brigade is due to the fact that some JROTC units promote their juniors to officer rank and it was decided long ago that no BC Senior should be outranked by a Junior from another school. Juniors hold all senior NCO ranks, ranging from Cadet Sergeant First Class to Cadet Command Sergeant Major (CSM). All seniors are, of course, officers following the same rank structure as the regular Army.
The Brigade and each Battalion also have a full staff, once again organized like the Army. The Brigade Staff consists of an S-1 (Personnel/Administrative), S-3 (Plans and Operations), S-4 (Supply), and S-5 (Public Affairs). Each Brigade Staff Officer holds the rank of Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and each also has several assistants, including a Junior serving as a Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...
. There is also a Brigade Ordnance Officer, a Cadet Major, who serves under the Brigade S-4 (when marching he marches as part of HQ Company, not with the staff). Each Battalion also has an S-1, S-3, and S-4 who are Cadet Captains and have an NCO with the rank of Cadet Master Sergeant
Master Sergeant
A master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in some armed forces.-Israel Defense Forces:Rav samal rishoninsignia IDF...
to assist. Unlike the Army, the Battalion staff officers are really under the control of the Brigade Staff instead of the Battalion XO, which leaves the XO with little to do unless the CO is not present. There are also several other important NCO positions held by Juniors- the Brigade CSM, Battalion CSM (3), Company First Sergeant
First Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
(9), and Platoon Sergeants (who wear the stripes of a Master Sergeant). Normally, these positions lead to the corresponding positions Senior year (though some are moved around to fill the XO positions, which have no equivalent NCO position).
The JROTC unit at Benedictine Military School has held the honor of being an Honor Unit with Distinction, which means that it is one of the top JROTC programs in the entire country. Benedictine has held the honor ever since it was created. It is decided by a variety of factors, including "points" accumulated throughout the year for participating in public events and also the Regional Formal Inspection (RFI) held in February, conducted by officers and NCOs from U.S. Army Cadet Command who grade a wide range of factors (including a uniform inspection of the entire Brigade formed up at attention in Class A uniforms).
Staff/Instructors
The current Senior Army Instructor (SAI), who is in charge of the JROTC program, is Lieutenant Colonel John M. Owens III, USA. Colonel Owens, a 1961 graduate of BC and a 1965 graduate of The Citadel, also teaches the Senior JROTC class and has been the SAI since 1986 immediately after retiring from the Army, where he served in the Armor/Cavalry Branch. Teaching the Junior class and is Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Carl, who served in the Quartermaster Corps in the Army. In addition Chief Carl serves as the Supply Officer (basically S-4) and is the Coach for the Drill Team. The Sophomore JROTC class is taught by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Don Schaefer, who served as a Helicopter Pilot in the Aviation Branch while in the Army. Chief Schaefer, the newest member of the unit's staff (arriving in 2003), also holds the position of Operations Officer (basically S-3) and Coach of the Rifle Team. The only NCO of the outfit is Master Sergeant Reinaldo Osorio, who served as a Medic and is the first instructor new cadets will experience as he teaches the Freshman JROTC class. Sergeant Osorio is also in charge of Personnel/Administration (basically S-1), is the advisor to the Brigade Color Guard, and serves as Coach of the Varsity Color Guard. In addition to the four full-time instructors Sergeant First Class Anderson, who normally is only on campus for Drill period on Monday and Wednesday, serves as the instructor for the Band. All of the instructors are retired from the U.S. Army with nearly a century of service total, not including their years at BC. They also hold many high military awards and decorations both from America and foreign countries including Six Bronze Stars with Valor device (LTC Owens), Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
(LTC Owens), Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(MSG Osorio), Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with Valor device (CW4 Schaefer), and Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(LTC Owens, CW4 Schaefer, CW3 Carl, MSG Osorio).
Athletics
Up until 2004, BC had always competed in Georgia's highest classification. In 2004, they dropped to AAA. In 2008, to AA. In 2010, BC returned to Region 3-AAAAA.Benedictine won state championships in baseball (1961), and golf (1983, 1985, 1993). During the 2009-2010 school year BC won 8 region 2-AA championships. The athletic program finished 2nd in the Boys' Athletic Director's Cup Standings which recognizes the best athletic programs in the state. In the past 8 years BC has finished no lower than 17th in the Cup standings including 4 Top 10 finishes.
The Benedictine football program ranks 22nd in all-time wins in the state of Georgia and has won 7 region titles. Benedictine football games have traditionally been played at Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium, Savannah
Memorial Stadium is a 15,000 capacity county owned multi-purpose stadium near Savannah, Georgia . The stadium is primarily used for American football and soccer games, usually by high schools in Chatham County though it occasionally hosts regular season and homecoming festivities for Savannah State...
since the 1960s, following decades of home games at Grayson Stadium in Daffin Park.
Student traditions
The Corps of Cadets has marched in every St. Patrick's Day parade in Savannah since 1903. Many BC alumni have been elected Grand Marshall of the parade. Another St. Patrick's Day Parade tradition is for St. Vincent Academy girls (no association with Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe) , clad in bright red lipstick, to run up and kiss cadets on the cheek.The school's senior military cadets are commissioned as JROTC officers at a school-wide ceremony on a Saturday night in late September. Freshmen Cadets are required to bring dates for the ceremony and dance afterward. One tradition is for each senior's date to fervently try to put on his newly-acquired ranks on his epaulets as quickly as possible once instructed.
There has been a football rivalry with Savannah High School since the 1920s; a past tradition of many decades was the Thanksgiving Day contest between the two schools.
George K. Gannam, a 1938 Benedictine graduate, was killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
and was the first Savannah resident to die during World War II. The school holds a military review and formal ceremony on or around Pearl Harbor Day (December 7) each year to commemorate Staff Sergeant Gannam. The American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
Post 184, named in his honor, presents the Gannam Award to the most outstanding sophomore cadet, and the God and Country Award to an outstanding senior cadet. The school presents the Gannam family an American flag which, in turn, the Gannam family gives back to the school to fly on the flagpole for the following year.
The Benedictine fight song is sung to the tune of the Washington and Lee Swing
Washington and Lee Swing
Washington and Lee Swing is the official fight song of Washington & Lee University. Before it morphed into a swing, Dixieland and bluegrass standard, "The Washington and Lee Swing" was one of the most well known — and widely borrowed — football marches ever written, according to Robert...
. Upperclassmen expect Freshmen to correctly recite the fight song within the first days of a new school year. The song is sung by students, alumni, and friends at almost every athletic and school sponsored events.
Notable alumni
- Ken "Hawk" HarrelsonKen HarrelsonKenneth Smith Harrelson , nicknamed "The Hawk" due to his distinctive profile, is a former All-Star first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball...
(1959) is a former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player (1963–71) and current television broadcaster for the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. - Stratton LeopoldStratton LeopoldStratton Leopold is an American film producer. Leopold is currently Executive Vice President of Production at Paramount Pictures.Leopold was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Marika and Peter Louis Leopold. He owns an ice cream shop in Savannah, which has been in his family for generations...
(1961) is a film producer. - Josh MallardJosh MallardJosh Mallard is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
(1997) is a former NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
defensive endDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
(2002, 06–08). - Andrew Provence (1979) is a former NFL defensive lineman (1983–87) with the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - SGT Christopher Lowe (2005) awarded the Bronze Star medal for valor and Purple Heart medal for his actions in Afghanistan 2009; the Purple Heart is Proudly displayed in the school's library.