Mike London, former head football coach at the University of Virginia, is a 1979 Bethel High School graduate.
He is the current head football coach for the William & Mary Tribe football program at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia In the 2005-2006 basketball season the Bethel varsity basketball team enjoyed an undefeated regular season (27–0), number two ranking in the state and was led by Coach Craig Brehon and power forwards Duke Crews (All-American) and Jamel McLean.
Under 1st year coach Jeff Nelson and led by the performances of RB Jontel Evans, DB Marcus Cooperwood, and QB Aris Mcglone-English, the Bruins stunned the Peninsula District by enjoying a 9–1 regular season, which its only loss came courtesy of crosstown rival and defending state champion Phoebus High School.
The next week at national powerhouse Oscar Smith High School, The Bruins magical season came to an end with 39–3 defeat.
In the 2007–2008 school year, the Varsity basketball team welcomed Mbai Goto Olivier, David Keyba Baroum, and Ali Abdou Djim from the war-torn nation of Chad.
Before the VHSL season began, all three had committed to Division I-A schools, with Olivier headed to Clemson, Djim to attend Duquesne University, and Baroum to play for La Salle.
The Varsity Basketball team (30–2),coached by Bethel's Dean of Boys Craig Brehon, came up just short of the VHSL state championship title against T.C.
For football's amazing success, to basketball's triumph all the way to the state game, and baseball massive run to a state finals berth, to also the great run from the boys track team each led by senior leaders Marcus Cooperwood, Bill Weaver, Kizuku Scott, and Javell Bullard, the 40th anniversary was indeed a great one for Bethel in 2008.
[10] As well as excelling in basketball and football, Bethel is also home to the largest and most accomplished Junior ROTC unit in Virginia.
[citation needed] The team has sent at least one marksman to a Division 1 NCAA School (Air Force), and at least one more shooter likely to gain a scholarship in the near future.
Bethel's AJROTC and athletic achievements are supported by a number of programs specifically tailored by the administration toward education in commercial activities.
Projects like the FIRM, a large base of business classes, Governor's School opportunities offering college credit, fashion programs, and other such university style programs allow students to pursue a course in high school similar to their expected college major.
In May 2007, the Concert and Jazz Bands swept the "Music in the Parks" competition in Cleveland, Ohio, with addition of the best solo played by Becky Paul on Flugelhorn.
The 2007 marching band season gave spectators flashbacks of Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, Minnie Riperton, and Tom Jones with a "Las Vegas" themed show.
In November 2008, the Superior rated Jazz Combo was hand picked and performed at The Williamsburg Lodge for the Virginia Department of Education.
In the year of 2008–09, the Bethel Bruin Band has gone through another season of marching with the theme of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.