MILLHEIM — On April 15, Millheim resident Ralph Gray released his second book in as many years. “The School on the Hill,” recounts the nearly 200-year history of the prestigious Bellefonte Academy prep school, with a particular focus on its football program.
Gray, a retired mathematics teacher who taught at Bellefonte and Penns Valley High Schools, has an extensive background in football. He played in high school, then played at Indiana State College, now now Indiana University of Pennsylvania, before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1961. During his career as a teacher, he served as a PIAA football official for 30 years.
“The School on the Hill” tells the history of the academy from its original construction in 1805, through several expansions and three devastating fires which led to its closing in 1933. The building was converted to apartments in 1946, and was finally destroyed by fire in 2004 and torn down.
The book lists prominent attendees, and chronicles the prep school’s excellent sports program, which was introduced by headmaster James P. Hughes in 1890 and rose to national prominence under the leadership of his son, James R. Hughes. The Bellefonte Academy football team won national prep school championships three consecutive years in the 1920s, outscoring opponents by large margins. The team even defeated the Penn State varsity football team in 1908.
Gray released his book at a book signing event on April 15 at the Centre County Library and Historical Museum in Bellefonte. “The School on the Hill” is available at online book stores.
Gray’s first book, “The Battle of Benner Pike,” detailed the long history of the Bellefonte-State College high school football rivalry.
