Andre Bennett inducted into the VWSD Athletics Hall of Fame

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) —

Andre Bennett’s journey from standout Vicksburg High School offensive lineman to longtime coach came full circle last Thursday when he was officially inducted into the Vicksburg Warren School District Athletics Hall of Fame.

Bennett was inducted alongside nine other former athletes and coaches who were introduced by Athletics Director James Lewis.

“First of all I have to give honor to God,” Bennett said.

During his speech, Bennett reflected on his upbringing in Vicksburg and the family members who helped shape him into the man he is today.

“I was brought up by men but I was also raised by some tough women so you can’t tell me women can’t raise men,” Bennett said.

Bennett acknowledged his family during the ceremony, along with his college teammate, Jamar Dorsey, who traveled from Nebraska to attend the induction.

A 2002 graduate of Vicksburg High, Bennett played for head coach Alonzo Stevens. He began his high school career as a defensive lineman in the 10th grade, but by his senior season, Bennett had developed into one of the top offensive linemen in the state.

In 2001, Bennett helped lead the Gators to one of the best seasons in program history. Vicksburg finished 10-4 and reached the North State Championship game. With Bennett helping anchor the offensive line and clear the way for VHS ball carriers, the Gators averaged 26.9 points per game.

Late in the 2001 season, Vicksburg suffered a 10-0 loss to Madison Central. Just a few weeks later, however, Bennett and the Gators earned their revenge when VHS defeated the Jaguars 28-0 in the second round of the playoffs.

Bennett was eventually named to the All-State team, and major college programs took notice.

Despite receiving offers from programs such as LSU and Notre Dame, Bennett chose the HBCU route and signed with Grambling State University.

Bennett continued to excel at Grambling, where he earned All-American and All-SWAC honors and helped the Tigers win two SWAC championships.

After a stint in the Arena Football League, Bennett found himself searching for his next direction. That was when Stevens, his former high school coach, called and offered him an opportunity to begin coaching. Stevens was also in attendance Thursday to watch his former player enter the Hall of Fame.

“My coach is the reason I’m here right now,” Bennett said. “I didn’t know where I was going but he called me right on time.”

That phone call helped bring Bennett back to where his football journey had blossomed.

Bennett has been a member of the Vicksburg High football coaching staff since 2008. During that time, he has coached numerous players who went on to play college football, including a few who eventually reached the NFL.

Twenty-one years after Bennett helped VHS reach the North State Championship game as a player, he was on the coaching staff when the Gators returned to the North State title game in 2022 for the first time since his senior class accomplished the feat two decades earlier.

Bennett now serves as Vicksburg High’s offensive coordinator, continuing to pour his knowledge into another generation of Gators.

But on a night celebrating his accomplishments in football, Bennett made sure the people who supported him throughout his journey received their recognition.

He mentioned that his sister remains one of his biggest supporters.

“My sister always text me after the game and she’s always supporting me,” Bennett said.

Perhaps the most meaningful moment of the night came when Bennett honored his mother.

Just two weeks before the Hall of Fame ceremony, Bennett’s mother underwent brain surgery. Despite what she had endured, she was there Thursday night to watch her son receive one of the highest honors of his career.

For Bennett, the moment was bigger than football, championships or individual accolades. Standing before the crowd as a Hall of Famer, he paid tribute to the woman whose sacrifices helped make his journey possible.

“I love you and everything I am is because of you,” Bennett told his mother.