Hall of Fame
Ben Rich came to Chowan in the fall of 1954 and started as a center for the Braves for two seasons. As a sophomore, Rich was All-State and captain of the team.
Transferring to Guilford College, Rich started for two seasons for the Quakers and won the Hustic Award for two years and was also the runner up for team M.V.P. as a senior.
After graduation from Guilford, the Virginia native went into coaching at the high school level. He was the head football coach at Smithfield, where in seven seasons the former center won 42 games, lost 24, tied three, won one district championship, and was 1963 Peanut District Coach of the Year. An assistant coach at Warwick, head coach at Kecoughtan, and assistant at Hampton, Rich coached in 164 victories, 83 defeats and eight ties, winning eight district championships, and three state championships. A track coach with one state championship and a state runner-up finish, Rich also coached basketball and baseball and was an Athletic Director for eight years.
Currently, Rich resides in Newport News, Va., where he has been Summer School Director for the City of Hampton and Assistant Principal of Syms Middle School. Active in his community, he has been a member of the Hampton Roads Jaycees, President of PeeWee football, a Little League baseball coach and Rich has been active in his church, having taught Sunday School and serving as Sunday School Superintendent.
