Though the high school football season is upon us in Palm Beach County, Berean Christian will once again not be taking part.
The Bulldogs football program went on hiatus last year, but that closure might be more permanent than originally thought.
"I can confirm that a decision has been made for the football program at Berean Christian School to be shut down for the foreseeable future," said Berean Christian athletic director Doug Walters.
The Bulldogs last fielded a team for the 2024-25 season, though with a roster of just 32 players. In previous seasons, the roster was at times even smaller.
Last year, the program was put "on pause" pending an evaluation
of its future, despite opening its home field as recently as 2023.
The last time the Bulldogs finished at season at or above .500 was in 2019 when the team went 5-5. Since then, the program has faltered.
"This decision was based on the overall interest and performance of the program, as well as the need to reallocate funds throughout the other sports in our athletic department," Walters said. "Our goal is to bring our other sports up to a higher standard of care and performance while providing a better overall student-athlete experience."
Overall, Berean Christian athletics have experienced a boon in recent seasons. The boys and girls soccer teams made deep playoff runs last year, with the girls reaching a state semifinal in Class 1A.
The school's softball team has also won back-to-back district titles.
'Larry the Cable Guy' led resurrection of Berean Christian football
Berean Christian, founded in 1965, first fielding a football team in 1977. Back then, the school played as the "Patriots," donning red, white, and blue informs until the program was put on pause in 1981.
The program's most famous player from that era was Dan Whitney, better known as comedian "Larry the Cable Guy," who played offensive and defensive line for Berean for two years before graduating in 1982.
During that hiatus, the school moved locations to its current home off Okeechobee Boulevard and restarted its program in 2008. Whitney reportedly contributed more than $75,000 in helping the program get back on its feet.
"'I told them, 'Don't skimp on the uniforms. Get good ones,'" Whitney said in 2008. "They may be getting beat the first two years, but by God, they're going to look good doing it.'"
"Hey, if they want to be Bulldogs, that's fine with me. Just as long as they beat King's Academy."
Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Berean Christian closing down football program for 'foreseeable future'
