A Legacy Cemented: Brother Garwin DeBerry Sr. Inducted into Virginia High School Hall of Fame

The Xi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is proud to celebrate the historic induction of Brother Garwin DeBerry Sr. into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame Class of 2026. This prestigious honor recognizes his 35-year career as a teacher, coach, and administrator at Charlottesville High School (CHS), where he oversaw legendary programs in both football and boys' lacrosse. After being barred from playing at due to segregation, DeBerry returned in 1973 and eventually became the area’s first African American head football coach in 1980. His leadership led to 12 playoff appearances, six district titles, and a regional championship, cementing a legacy of excellence that has already seen the CHS competition field named in his honor.

Brother DeBerry’s induction into the Class of 2026 is the latest in a series of high-level accolades, including his 2017 induction into the Virginia Interscholastic Association (VIA) Hall of Fame and being named District Coach of the Year six times. His journey from a student-athlete at the all-Black Burley High School to a Hall of Fame coach at the very institution that once denied him entry serves as a powerful testament to the Omega principle of Perseverance. By breaking systemic barriers and mentoring generations of athletes in Central Virginia, Coach DeBerry has moved beyond sport to become a foundational figure in the community’s history.

This recognition by the Virginia High School Hall of Fame highlights a lifetime of Uplift and dedication to youth. From receiving the VHSL Region II Award of Merit in 2008 to this most recent Hall of Fame selection, Brother DeBerry has consistently modeled the highest standards of the fraternity. The brothers of Xi Iota salute Coach DeBerry for this well-deserved milestone and for the indelible mark he continues to leave on the landscape of Virginia athletics.