Douglas S. Freeman High School is an American educational institution located in the western part of Virginia's Henrico County. History Part of Henrico County Public Schools system, the institution is named for Pulitzer Prize-winning Virginia author, newspaper editor, historian and pioneering radio broadcaster Douglas Southall Freeman (1886–1953). It opened in 1954, slightly more than one year after Freeman's death. Academics The principal of the school is John Marshall. Henrico County runs a system in which each high school contains a specialty center, a separate but integrated entity within the school that functions as a magnet program. The centers offer advanced courses to students who have clear interests and specific educational and/or career goals. Douglas Freeman High School's center is the Center for Leadership, Government and Global Economics, led by Robert Peck. Athletics Freeman is a member of the Virginia High School League. It competes in the 5A Central Region and 5A Colonial District. The school colors are blue and gray and the teams are nicknamed the "Mavericks". The colors and mascot were devised as a tribute to Douglas Freeman's extensive study of the Civil War. Virginia High School League AAA State Championship teams Boys' cross country: 1969, 2014 Girls' cross country: 1999 Football: 1967 (shared title with Annandale and Princess Anne) Golf: 1963 Softball: 1980 Boys' tennis: 1982, 1985, 1989, 2001 Girls' tennis: 1983 Boys' outdoor track: 1970 Girls' volleyball: 2005 Boys’ baseball: 2022 The boys' volleyball team were VHSL AAA State semi-finalists in 2011 and 2012. The girls' soccer team was in the state tournament in 2013. The baseball team won the last Central Region championship in 2013, and as a result advanced to the state tournament. Media The school publishes a newspaper (The Commentator), a literary magazine (The Educator), and a yearbook (The Historian). Douglas Freeman High School was mentioned in a Washington Post article referring to the school's revival of the historic "Rebel Man" mascot. Notable alumni John Aboud — founder of Modern Humorist, and commentator on VH1's Best Week Ever Kevin Aviance — dance music artist and performer Steve Bassett — co-author of Virginia's state popular song (with Robbin Thompson) Dean Fleischer Camp - filmmaker and co-creator of Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Peter Hamby — head of News at Snapchat; Vanity Fair columnist; former CNN political correspondent Rich Landrum- Well known radio and TV announcer for WXEX (now WRIC) TV, as well the weekly