Christian Brothers High School (Memphis, Tennessee)

Founding

The school was founded as Christian Brothers College on November 19, 1871, by members of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation. The Brothers came to Memphis at the request of the people and clergy of the city, after more than a decade of efforts to persuade the Brothers to open a college in Memphis. Christian Brothers High School remains the oldest all-boys educational institution in the city of Memphis.

Brother Maurelian was appointed the first president. During his presidency, which lasted 33 years, the Brothers purchased the 612 Adams Street building, which housed the college until 1940 when the school moved to its present location at Central Avenue and East Parkway South. Functioning as a combined elementary school, high school, and college, Christian Brothers College granted high school diplomas, Bachelor's and Master's Degrees until 1915, when the college division was suspended.

Elementary classes were dropped in 1922, and the institution operated as only a high school for 18 years. In 1940, the college opened again as a junior college and began granting Associate's Degrees in 1942. Several years later in 1965 the high school left the college campus and moved to a new campus located at 5900 Walnut Grove Rd. in East Memphis. At that point it became known as Christian Brothers High School. The college is now known as Christian Brothers University, and is still on East Parkway.

The Christian Brothers Band is the oldest high school band in America, being continuous since its founding in 1872.

Lasallian tradition

Christian Brothers University traces its origins to priest and educational innovator, St. John Baptist de La Salle, the patron saint of teachers.

De La Salle began a system of Christian schools in which teachers assist parents in the educational, ethical, and religious formation of their children. To continue his spiritual and pedagogical vision, De La Salle founded the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, known today as the De La Salle Christian Brothers. The Lasallian community is now in 81 countries and in more than 1,000 educational institutions. Over 4,000 De La Salle Christian Brothers, along with 56,000 Lasallian lay colleagues, serve over 900,000 students and their families worldwide.

Campus

CBHS is located on a 50-acre (200,000 m²) campus in East Memphis, sixteen miles east of Downtown. The campus encompasses the main school building, gym, STEMM building, football & practice field, 2,300 gallon aquarium, baseball field and club house, soccer, and a practice field, as well as a chapel and housing for the Brothers who work at the school.

Music

The Band is "The Oldest High School Band in America" founded in 1872 and consists of a concert band and pep band. This group has performed at the Midwest Clinic, Carnegie Hall, the Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and the Lincoln Memorial as well as receiving superior ratings at concert festivals from Hawaii to Washington D.C. The band has performed for two US presidents. The Jazz Band, "Walnut Groove," performs on and off campus. A Historic Brass Band performs in replica civil war era uniforms and marches in parades along with performing in civic celebrations and dedications in the city.

Athletics

The athletic teams are known as the Purple Wave or simply the Brothers. Ten different sports teams are fielded for Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) competition and each one has claimed State Titles. The Brothers are classified in Division II – Class AA West and compete at the highest level of competition. The classic purple and gold schemed uniforms are unmistakable each Friday night in the Fall. The basketball team claimed its lone State Title in 1987. They have played for the championship twice since 2008 coming up short on both occasions.

The soccer team has won 10 championships in the last 25 years and have 3-peated twice. The team won the 2016 State Soccer Championship under second-year coach Nick Glaser. The baseball team recently won the 2016 State Championship, marking the ninth state championship for Coach Buster Kelso at CBHS.

The golf, tennis, track, and cross country teams have seen both team and individual success. The wrestling team was the 2012 State Champion in Tennessee after defeating Baylor in the semifinals and Fr. Ryan in the finals. The golf team claimed three State Titles in the 1990s. Track & field enjoys the most consistent success for both individual and team championships. Most recently, CBHS finished 1-2-3 in the shot put at the State Championships this past Spring. The Brothers have also fielded a bowling team every year since the sport was first established by the TSSAA. The Brothers went 13–0 and won the State Title in 2003, then repeated in 2004 with a record of 13–1. The team has three total State Championships, tying for most in the state since the sport debuted in 2002.

State Championships

Current head coaches by sport

Notable alumni

Lance Sanderson controversy

In the fall of 2015, a senior, Lance Sanderson, was denied permission to bring his boyfriend from a different school to the homecoming dance.He was also told by the administration that he was similar to a gay man in Texas who was murdered by his boyfriend. Sanderson was asked to work from home effective the following week over media attention (a change.org petition created by the Change.org organization, specifically, endorsed by Shonda Rimes), which was intended to bring attention to the school's policies and force a change. The ensuing conflict resulted in Sanderson's being asked to work from home.