This fall, there are a number of exciting developments in CHS athletics.  This includes:

• naming the CHS athletic field for two legendary coaches,
• another historic golf season, and
• positive attention from fans and media for our football and field hockey teams.

DeBerry-Bingler Field

As of October 23, DeBerry-Bingler Field will be the new name of the athletic field at CHS’s Theodose Stadium.

• Joseph Bingler was a four-sport athlete in Charlottesville City Schools, and after a football scholarship at the University of Virginia and then serving in the Army, he returned to the area. He first taught at McGuffey Elementary and then taught and coached football at Lane High School/Charlottesville High School.  He was on the high school football coaching staff with Tommy Theodose during the historic 53-game winning streak that included the 1963 state title. Aside from wins on the field, the football team also became racially integrated during that 1962-1967 streak.
• Garwin DeBerry was also a student in Charlottesville City Schools. After he was denied the right to play at Lane High School in the early 1960s, he transferred to the City’s African-American high school, Burley, where he was a stand-out. Following college at Virginia State University and coaching in New Jersey, DeBerry returned to Charlottesville, where he taught for 35 years and served as CHS head coach from 1980 to 2007, including the 2001 team that went 10-0. He was the first African-American head football coach in this area.
• DeBerry and Bingler are remembered for far more than game plans or big wins. They were mentors and father-figures to players and non-athletes alike, and both continue to be present in sporting organizations and on the sidelines of Black Knights athletics.
• A sign at the athletic field will be unveiled at the CHS homecoming football game on October 23. Kick-off (vs. Orange) is at 7:30pm.

Another Historic Golf Season

• The CHS coed golf team successfully defended the competitive Jefferson District championship and dominated all-district selections. The team finished 20-1 in district matches this year!  Zach Russell also defended his individual title with a 77 (last year, he was co-champion with teammate AJ Stouffer). Banks Northington came in 2nd in the tournament with a 79, marking the second straight year that Black Knights have gone 1 and 2 in the district tourney.
• In addition, the Black Knights dominated the all-district selections. Zach Russell is the district player of the year (the first CHS player to win the award). AJ Stouffer (last year’s Conference 23 player of the year) finished 2nd; Emmy Timberlake tied for 3rd, and Banks Northington finished 6th. Together, they claimed 4 of the 6 slots on 1st-team all-district! To put this in perspective, CHS had never had more than 2 golfers on the 1st team, and we’d never had a golfer finish higher than 4th before.
• A record four players (Northington, Russell, Stouffer, and Timberlake) have qualified for regional play, and the team placed 3rd in Conference 23, an already tough line-up made even more competitive this year after an expansion. For a nice overview of the team, read Scrimmage Play’s coverage here.  Good luck to our players in regionals!

Media Shout-Outs for Field Hockey and Football

• CHS field hockey comes into the season with four consecutive Jefferson District titles and two recent trips to the state tourney. Though the team lost a lot of seniors last year, they did gain two new players – boys!  Read the Daily Progress story here.
• CHS football is off to a strong 3-1 start, with a good running game and what the Daily Progress calls a “deep, talented Black Knights backfield.” The team has profited from big plays, including several 90-yard-plus touchdowns. ScrimmagePlay’s “Experience” series captured video of the team’s win over Harrisonburg, including Rashad Brock’s 99-yard TD run.  Watch the video here.