Benjamin Franklin Stevenson (Steve)

Ben Stevenson attended Tuskegee Institute where he participated in football, track and baseball and coached there in 1931-32. His high school coaching career at Booker T. Washington in Houston from 1940 to 1956 included five state championships in three different sports. He was also runner-up in seven different years for the city and state championships in the same three sports (football, basketball and track). He coached several outstanding college athletes, citizens and current coaches in the Houston Independent School District. Among them included James Lewis, Coach "Bo" Humphreys, Realtor John Hightower, HISD Assistant Superintendent Lawrence Marshall and several in the professional ranks. Because high school players could play on their college teams he had the unique distinction of making seven (7) consecutive All-American teams while at Tuskegee. He retired from coaching in 1957 and from HISD as a counselor in 1968.

Steve was voted to the All-Time American Team and labeled the Ebony "Red" Grange and football's greatest All American Player.

Coaching Highlights

• 1940 - City and District champions in football
• 1945 - City District Championship
• 1946 - Football and basketball state champions plus city and district champions
• 1946 - Coached the 1946 Houston All Star team which defeated Muskogee, Oklahoma 6-0
• 1948 - Finalists in the state football championship losing to Booker T. Washington of Dallas
• 1956 - City and District Championship
• 1956 - State Champion Mile Relay Team - set a national record at the time

Coach Benjamin Franklin Stevenson truly belongs in the Hall of Honor for his outstanding contributions to athletics. He is survived by his loving wife, Mollie Taylor Stevenson, sons, Ben, Jr., & Major, Daughters, Barbara, Sandra, Ben Taye, Mbllie, numerous Grands & one Great Grand, inlaws and many friends.

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