Saint Francis High School (La Cañada Flintridge)
Encyclopedia
Saint Francis High School is a Catholic preparatory high school
for young men, located in La Cañada Flintridge, California
, USA. Founded in 1946 on the lands bought from a golf club, it is owned and directed by the Capuchin Friars of the Western American Province of Our Lady of Angels.
Its official motto, "A Catholic Tradition of Enriching the Mind and Heart", serves as the basis for its curriculum
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
.
Among these are the vast array of AP and Honors courses, instated to challenge students with hopes of academic enrichment. AP Courses offered by the school include full year/ 2 semester classes in Calculus, Statistics, Computer Science, English, U.S. History, European History, U.S. Government, Foreign Language, Economics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
A FieldTurf and all-weather track has been installed inside the Friedman Field complex, with a gymnasium renovation, Field House, home-side bleacher and patio renovation. The Golden Knights compete in nine sports within the Mission League, which is part of the CIF Southern Section. At the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels, football, cross country, basketball, soccer, tennis, track, volleyball and baseball are available to students. Golf is also a Varsity sport. Football, basketball, track, and volleyball are also available on the Freshmen/Sophomore level. Loyola High School
is a principal athletic rival.
. Their dominating run in the tournament included victories over a handful of nationally ranked teams, including Florida's top two soccer programs. In the last eight years coach Glen Appels has led the team to 3 CIF Championships in three divisions. After originally playing in Division V the Golden Knights have now been moved up to Division I despite still only enrolling fewer than 700 students. St. Francis is one of the smallest schools in both CIF sections to have at least one Division I team. In 2008 the team was coached to victory by Glen Appels winning the Mission League Title over Crespi.
In 2009, the Golden Knights captured the Southern California State Regional Championship in Division II with a 4–2 victory over San Diego Cathedral Catholic.
St. Francis’ first victory was in the 1949 season, a 40–6 trouncing of Notre Dame High School
. Four years later, coach Jack Friedman arrived, who immediately moved St. Francis into the Parochial League.
In 1960, QB Tony Petek (1961) outdueled future Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, the win over Mater Dei cementing the Golden Knights’ first league championship.
Other early highlights included:
The 1980s featured an upset of Loyola and another Del Rey championship.
The 1990s saw a rebuilding program, highlighted by the 1993 hiring of Bill Redell, who led the Golden Knights to its first playoff win in 13 years (1996), its first league title since 1982 and to the 1999 semifinals, losing to eventual champion Hart.
Coach Jim Bonds continued the success of Bill Redell leading the Golden Knight's to the playoffs in 2000, again falling to the eventual champion and his alma mater, Hart High. Now in his ninth season Coach Bonds has reached the playoffs each year and the semi-finals three times. Miguel Melendez of the Pasadena Star New's declares Coach Bonds "one of the smartest football coaches I've ever met."
In 2009, the Golden Knights defeated rival Loyola High School 27-23.
Past Golden Knight coaches include: Jim Glenn (1949–50), John Pacheco (1951–52), Jack Friedman (1953–65, 68–79), Jim Yang (1966–67), Brian Fogarty (1979–82), Terry Terrazone (1983–88), Bill Garrison (1989–90), Andy Boynton (1991–92), Bill Redell
(1993–99) and Bonds (2000–current).
. The Golden Knights won in the ninth inning on a walk-off home run, which sent the Golden Knights to the CIF Div II Finals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the first time in school history. Although the Golden Knights lost, the 2006 season will never be forgotten.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
for young men, located in La Cañada Flintridge, California
La Cañada Flintridge, California
La Cañada Flintridge is a small and affluent city in Los Angeles County, California, United States whose population at the 2010 census was 20,246, down from 20,318 at the 2000 census. According to Forbes, as of 2010, La Cañada Flintridge ranks as the 143rd most expensive U.S...
, USA. Founded in 1946 on the lands bought from a golf club, it is owned and directed by the Capuchin Friars of the Western American Province of Our Lady of Angels.
Its official motto, "A Catholic Tradition of Enriching the Mind and Heart", serves as the basis for its curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the U.S. state of California. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the archdiocese comprises the California counties of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The diocesan cathedral is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the...
.
Academics
Saint Francis High School's curriculum primarily emphasizes a core that addresses the requirements outlined by the University of California. Although it is not fully required to address these requirements, it is strongly encouraged to meet these in order to foster an educational career path with goals set at attending a University of California or other 4-year university. Over 99% of graduates go on to attend higher education institutions, with 96% attending 4-year universities.Curriculum
The core curriculum focuses on basics and follows up with higher tiered courses in each subject. Mathematics, English language and composition, Foreign language, Sciences, Social Studies, and Religion are all represented in the school's core curriculum.Among these are the vast array of AP and Honors courses, instated to challenge students with hopes of academic enrichment. AP Courses offered by the school include full year/ 2 semester classes in Calculus, Statistics, Computer Science, English, U.S. History, European History, U.S. Government, Foreign Language, Economics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Extracurricular
In addition to the strong core offered at the school, numerous extracurricular activities in the academic field are offered. The school offers courses in introductory arts, studio art, theater, and choir. In addition to art emphasis, there exist numerous clubs and teams that students can take advantage of and join. Such organizations include drum line, student government, LINK, a year long freshmen orientation program, KNIT (Student Television), Yearbook and various other clubs, created and run by the students under the guide of the activities coordinator.Athletics
Within a seven year span in the 1990s into the 2000s, the Varsity Soccer Team captured three California Interscholastic Federation ("CIF") championships. In 2009 the team recorded the school's first "CIF" State Regional Championship. Most athletic teams reach the CIF playoffs every year with exceptional showings in the last 10 years by the football, soccer, cross country, baseball and track & field teams.A FieldTurf and all-weather track has been installed inside the Friedman Field complex, with a gymnasium renovation, Field House, home-side bleacher and patio renovation. The Golden Knights compete in nine sports within the Mission League, which is part of the CIF Southern Section. At the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels, football, cross country, basketball, soccer, tennis, track, volleyball and baseball are available to students. Golf is also a Varsity sport. Football, basketball, track, and volleyball are also available on the Freshmen/Sophomore level. Loyola High School
Loyola High School (Los Angeles)
Loyola High School of Los Angeles is a Jesuit preparatory school for young men. It is the oldest high school in Southern California, and one of the oldest in California...
is a principal athletic rival.
Soccer
Varsity soccer began the 2005 season ranked seventh in the nation and lived up to that ranking early in the year, winning the Admiral National Tournament in FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Their dominating run in the tournament included victories over a handful of nationally ranked teams, including Florida's top two soccer programs. In the last eight years coach Glen Appels has led the team to 3 CIF Championships in three divisions. After originally playing in Division V the Golden Knights have now been moved up to Division I despite still only enrolling fewer than 700 students. St. Francis is one of the smallest schools in both CIF sections to have at least one Division I team. In 2008 the team was coached to victory by Glen Appels winning the Mission League Title over Crespi.
In 2009, the Golden Knights captured the Southern California State Regional Championship in Division II with a 4–2 victory over San Diego Cathedral Catholic.
Football
After taking the Golden Knights to the CIF Playoffs for the fourth straight year, head coach Jim Bonds’ .638 winning percentage continues among the best since the school first took to the gridiron in 1949.St. Francis’ first victory was in the 1949 season, a 40–6 trouncing of Notre Dame High School
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
. Four years later, coach Jack Friedman arrived, who immediately moved St. Francis into the Parochial League.
In 1960, QB Tony Petek (1961) outdueled future Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, the win over Mater Dei cementing the Golden Knights’ first league championship.
Other early highlights included:
- A 29-game winning streak and two consecutive CIF championships (1963–64),
- A 13–0 mark, Santa Fe League title and CIF AAA championship in 1964. The team paced by CIF MVP tailback Terry Newlin (’65), is called by many the school’s best ever,
- Four Del Rey league titles, including three straight, in the 1970s
The 1980s featured an upset of Loyola and another Del Rey championship.
The 1990s saw a rebuilding program, highlighted by the 1993 hiring of Bill Redell, who led the Golden Knights to its first playoff win in 13 years (1996), its first league title since 1982 and to the 1999 semifinals, losing to eventual champion Hart.
Coach Jim Bonds continued the success of Bill Redell leading the Golden Knight's to the playoffs in 2000, again falling to the eventual champion and his alma mater, Hart High. Now in his ninth season Coach Bonds has reached the playoffs each year and the semi-finals three times. Miguel Melendez of the Pasadena Star New's declares Coach Bonds "one of the smartest football coaches I've ever met."
In 2009, the Golden Knights defeated rival Loyola High School 27-23.
Past Golden Knight coaches include: Jim Glenn (1949–50), John Pacheco (1951–52), Jack Friedman (1953–65, 68–79), Jim Yang (1966–67), Brian Fogarty (1979–82), Terry Terrazone (1983–88), Bill Garrison (1989–90), Andy Boynton (1991–92), Bill Redell
Bill Redell
Bill Redell is an American football coach and member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Redell serves as head coach at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California, since 2000, and has formed them into one of California's best high school football programs...
(1993–99) and Bonds (2000–current).
Baseball
The Golden Knights had an excellent 2006 season, with a 25–5 record including a sweep of rival Loyola High School, champions of the Atascadero Easter Tournament and eventual CIF champions, where they had two come from behind wins. The Knights made the playoffs and won the first three playoff games and advanced to the semifinals to face West High School (Torrance)West High School (Torrance)
West Torrance High School is a public high school in Torrance, California, United States. The mascot is the Warrior.-History:West Torrance High was established in 1962. It serves area bounded by 190th Street, Hawthorne, Sepulveda and west city boundary. The school colors are brown and gold. The...
. The Golden Knights won in the ninth inning on a walk-off home run, which sent the Golden Knights to the CIF Div II Finals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the first time in school history. Although the Golden Knights lost, the 2006 season will never be forgotten.
Cross Country
St. Francis has consistently qualified for the CIF Southern Section meet each year. In the early to mid 1990s, the program achieved its greatest success, including being CIF Division II Runners-Up in 1995, a team that went on to compete as a team at CIF State Finals for the first time in school history.Swimming
While the program is no longer active at St. Francis, it was one of the most successful in St. Francis' history during its relatively short lifespan. In a 15 year span from the early 1980s to late 1990s, St. Francis swimmers racked up more All-American awards than all other sports in the school's history combined.Golf
With a fairly young team this season, St. Francis golf finished the 2007 season by placing fifth in the CIF team divisionals.Notable alumni
- Jason HirshJason HirshJason Michael Hirsh is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who is a free agent.Hirsh was a dominant minor league pitcher in 2005–06, winning the Double-A Texas League Pitcher of the Year Award and the Triple-A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Award in successive seasons, as he went...
(2000), Starting Pitcher for the Colorado RockiesColorado RockiesThe Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
(2001), Guard for Northwestern UniversityNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees.... - Mark LorettaMark LorettaMark David Loretta is a retired Major League Baseball infielder. Loretta played for the Milwaukee Brewers , Houston Astros , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers...
(1988), Big 10 player of the year, former second baseman for the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
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political & community leader - J. T. MurphyJ. T. MurphyJ.T. "Jack" Murphy was an English trade union organiser and Communist.-Early years:J.T. Murphy, best known by his nickname of "Jack," was born in 1888 and grew up near Sheffield and became a metal-worker...
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(1972), Premier LA session guitarist, SupertrampSupertrampSupertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
lead guitarist, founding member of the Carl Verheyen Band - Mike VitarMike VitarMichael Vitar is an American former child actor who most notably appeared in The Sandlot as Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez and as Luis Mendoza in D2: The Mighty Ducks and D3: The Mighty Ducks. He started acting at the age of 12 when a casting manager spotted him in line for a ride at a school carnival...
(1997),American former child actor who most notably appeared in The Sandlot as Benny "the Jet" Rodriguez and as Luis Mendoza in D2: The Mighty Ducks and D3: The Mighty Ducks - Matt YoungMatt YoungMatthew John Young is a former American Major League baseball player. Young played for a variety of teams over his career, and is best known for his unofficial no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians while a member of the Boston Red Sox....
(1976), Baseball UCLA (1980) Seattle Mariners (83–86) Los Angeles Dodgers (87) Oakland Athletics (88–89) Boston Red Sox (90–93) - Gregg ZaunGregg ZaunGregory Owen "Gregg" Zaun is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is the nephew of former MLB catcher Rick Dempsey. Zaun was a high school teammate of Mark Loretta...
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