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Tempe High School (Tempe, Arizona)
Encyclopedia
Tempe High School is located in Tempe
, Arizona
, approximately one mile south of Arizona State University
.
Kemper Goodwin
, a prominent local architect, would go on to graduate from Tempe High in the mid-1920s, then design its current campus in the 1950s. Games were played at Goodwin Stadium
, the home of the ASU Sun Devils until 1957, and in the 1920s, the two teams played each other on several occasions. It was not until 1969 that Tempe High's campus hosted football games.
In 1953, the current Tempe High School opened with the administration and library buildings; three classroom units; and the cafeteria. (These are now buildings B through F). The gymnasium and auditorium continued to stay at the old site for two more years until being burned down in 1955, both to clear the land for construction of Tempe Towne Center and to provide practice for the fire department. The "modular site" was fleshed out by the end of the 1960s.
– they would move to their own campus in January 1965.
Tempe and McClintock would share a defining rivalry in Tempe sports. Their football and basketball games, due to heightened interest, often wound up on ASU's campus and fields.
Centennial events included: Athletic Hall of Fame dinner, Homecoming parade down Mill Avenue, Back to the Future celebration, and the Embassy Suites Blue and White Bash.
In 1989 one of the greatest football games was played between the two schools, more than 10,000 fans were in attendance to watch Tempe High defeat McClintock 25-24. Both teams went on to claim state championships that year.
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, approximately one mile south of Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
.
History
Tempe Union High School was established by a vote of the people of Tempe in 1907. It was required, as the Normal School in Tempe (now ASU) no longer would enroll students with 8th-grade diplomas. Classes were held in rented space in downtown Tempe for the 1908-09 school year, as the school's permanent location was built. The first building opened in the fall of 1909 on the southeast corner of Mill and University (today the Tempe Towne Center, the town's first strip mall).Kemper Goodwin
Kemper Goodwin
Kemper Goodwin was a noted architect from Tempe, Arizona. He specialized in educational buildings. Some of his buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Arizona.-Life:...
, a prominent local architect, would go on to graduate from Tempe High in the mid-1920s, then design its current campus in the 1950s. Games were played at Goodwin Stadium
Goodwin Stadium
Goodwin Stadium was a stadium in Tempe, Arizona. It hosted the Arizona State University Sun Devils football team until they moved to Sun Devil Stadium in 1958, as well as the team for local Tempe High School until 1969. The stadium held 15,000 people at its peak and was opened in 1936. A parking...
, the home of the ASU Sun Devils until 1957, and in the 1920s, the two teams played each other on several occasions. It was not until 1969 that Tempe High's campus hosted football games.
In 1953, the current Tempe High School opened with the administration and library buildings; three classroom units; and the cafeteria. (These are now buildings B through F). The gymnasium and auditorium continued to stay at the old site for two more years until being burned down in 1955, both to clear the land for construction of Tempe Towne Center and to provide practice for the fire department. The "modular site" was fleshed out by the end of the 1960s.
Explosion of enrollment
Tempe grew tremendously in the 1950s and 1960s. It grew so overcrowded at Tempe High School that the fall of 1964 featured double sessions. The evening sessions were titled McClintock High SchoolMcClintock High School
McClintock High School is located in Tempe, Arizona, approximately two miles southeast of the campus of Arizona State University. McClintock High School was established in 1964. McClintock moved to the Arizona 4A Conference beginning with the 2001-02 school year...
– they would move to their own campus in January 1965.
Tempe and McClintock would share a defining rivalry in Tempe sports. Their football and basketball games, due to heightened interest, often wound up on ASU's campus and fields.
Today
Tempe High's enrollment generally fluctuates between 1,300 and 1,400 students. THS offers a wide variety of curriculum, including an honors Curriculum, the International Baccalaureate program, and H.O.P.E. which allows students to explore and train for medical professions by partnership with Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital.Centennial
During the 2007-08 school year, Tempe High celebrated its 100th anniversary, beginning with a Centennial Homecoming Celebration. To celebrate this momentous occasion, a Centennial Committee was formed under the wing of the Tempe High Buffalo Foundation. The Buffalo Foundation is the prime alumni organization for Tempe High School. This organization helps preserve the proud traditions and history of Tempe High and serves as an alumni resource for reunions and fundraising events.Centennial events included: Athletic Hall of Fame dinner, Homecoming parade down Mill Avenue, Back to the Future celebration, and the Embassy Suites Blue and White Bash.
Athletics
The Buffaloes have won three state championship titles since Tempe varsity football began in 1924. The first came in 1956, when Tempe High went undefeated with a 10-0 record under coach John Zucco. Between 1954 and 1957, Coach Zucco led the Buffaloes to a 32-6-1 record that included an 18-game winning streak. The Buffaloes' second championship came in 1989, when they shared the 4A title with Agua Fria. In the final playoff game in Sun Devil Stadium, which was attended by more than 11,000 fans, the Buffaloes and the Owls fought to a 10-10 draw. The tie game capped a 13-1-1 season under second-year coach Jim Murphy. The Buffaloes last state championship came with a win at the 4A state championship in 1996, beating Glendale Ironwood 20-17 in an overtime thriller. The Buffaloes won by a touchdown pass from Todd Mortensen to Justin Taplin. This victory capped a perfect 14-0 season, led by Tim McBurney.In 1989 one of the greatest football games was played between the two schools, more than 10,000 fans were in attendance to watch Tempe High defeat McClintock 25-24. Both teams went on to claim state championships that year.
Notable alumni
- Harry MitchellHarry MitchellHarry E. Mitchell is a former U.S. Representative who represented from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career :...
- former Tempe Mayor, former Arizona Democratic Party Congressman - Ira A. FultonIra A. FultonIra A. Fulton is an Arizona philanthropist, land developer, and businessman. BusinessWeek has listed Fulton 36th on its list of "The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists" for 2006...
- well known Arizona land developer & philanthropist - Kemper Goodwin - architect of the current buildings at Tempe High School
- Darnell AutryDarnell AutryHarrington Darnell Autry is a former American football player who played college football at Northwestern University. In his sophomore season, he helped lead the Northwestern Wildcats to the Big Ten Championship and the 1996 Rose Bowl...
- former NFL football player - Fred MortensenFred MortensenFred Mortensen is a former college football player at Arizona State University.In the 1990s He also served as a high school Football coach for the Tempe High School Buffalo Varsity football team where his son Todd Mortensen Attended. Fred quarterbacked Tempe High to the state finals in 1971...
- former NFL football player