Rose Hill in Charlottesville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Robert "Bob" Smith Clarence "Butch" Jones Field

— Architects of Success —

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 17, 2024

1. Robert "Bob" Smith Clarence "Butch" Jones Field Marker

Inscription.
In 1951, Patterson, New Jersey native, Coach Robert "Bob" Smith, was tagged to build a sports program for Jackson P. Burley High School; a new negro high school run jointly by Charlottesville City and Albemarle County. Smith used his influence to have Burley's mascot named the Bears after the Morgan State Golden Bears, his alma mater's. In the fall of 1956, the Burley Bears set a high school record that continues to stand: undefeated and unscored on. During his tenure Smith and the Bears could boast of having the record of more wins than all other area high schools, both black and white, plus four each District and VIA State Championships. Smith left Burley in the summer of 1960 for coaching duties at St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, VA. Upon his departure, Smith chose Charlottesville native Clarence "Butch" Jones as his successor as Burley's head coach.

Coach Clarence "Butch" Jones accepted the position of Head Football Coach of the Burley Bears following the legendary leadership of Coach Robert "Bob" Smith. Jones quickly established himself as a Western District force to be reckoned with. During the first three years of his leadership, the Burley Bears won three Western District Championships and one VIA State Championship Runner-up. In 1966, the final year of Jackson P. Burley High School football, Coach Jones was voted the Western District Coach of the Year. "We were training men, not super athletes."

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.

Location. 38° 2.403′ N, 78° 29.247′ W. Marker is in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is in Rose Hill. It is on Henry Avenue west of Rose Hill Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 907 Henry Ave, Charlottesville VA 22903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jackson P. Burley High School (about

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 17, 2024

2. Robert "Bob" Smith Clarence "Butch" Jones Field Marker

400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Jackson P. Burley High School (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Jackson P. Burley High School (about 400 feet away); Walter “Rock” Greene Albert “AP” Moore Gymnasium (about 400 feet away); C.B. Holt Rock House (approx. ¼ mile away); Asalie Minor Preston: Teacher & Philanthropist (approx. ¼ mile away); Holt's Architecture (approx. ¼ mile away); Washington Park: Separate and Unequal (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 18, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 18, 2024, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.