Van A. Phillips, Sr. is the principal of Center Point High School in Center Point, Alabama.

He has been married to Pamela Phillips for 30 years and is the father of two children, Van, Jr. (Gerri) and Morganne (Christian) Watford.

He and Pam are the proud grandparents of Savannah Marie and Van III.

He is involved in many community activities and is an activist for social and educational justice. Van strongly believes that education is the great equalizer for all students regardless of their socio-economic affiliation.

He possesses strong personal beliefs and has an array of professional, academic, and athletic achievements.

Van's commitment to achievement was evident while he was in high school. In 1976, he won the City of Birmingham Wrestling Championship at the 185-pound weight class, defeating the number one wrestler in the state and elevating his rank to number three in his weight class.

He was awarded a football scholarship to Kentucky State University in 1978.

He was a member of the Kentucky State National Dean's List from 1979 to 1982, among numerous academic honors.

Van continued to achieve success after graduating from Kentucky State.

He was head wrestling coach at Fairfield High School in Fairfield, Alabama from 1984 to 1992. He was nominated for Sectional Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1990.

Van has officiated more than 25 Alabama State Championships from 1986 to present and was selected as the Official of the Year in 1992, 2000 and 2016.

He was recognized by WATV radio station as Teacher of the Month in September 1985 and Teacher of the Year at Forest Hills Middle School in 1986.

He was awarded Fairfield City Schools Assistant Principal of the Year in 1990. He was awarded the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educator of the Year and Phi Beta Educator of the Year in 2005 and was selected as Alabama's Principal of the Year in 2017.

Van is an ordained and licensed minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serves as Sr. Elder and Pastor at Holy Trinity World Outreach Ministry in Birmingham, Alabama.

Van's membership in a multitude of academic, athletic and community organization includes the Birmingham Wrestling Association (since 1983), Central Board of the AHSAA, board member of the AHSAA District Legislative Council (since 2015), and Birmingham Wrestling Officials Association Board of Directors (since 1983).