Valdosta High School
Encyclopedia
Valdosta High School is a public high school
located in Valdosta, Georgia
, United States
. The school colors are gold and black. The school mascot is the "Wildcat".
with a record 861 wins, 202 losses, and 34 ties with a winning percentage of 78.6% as of November 26th, 2010. From 1913-2010, the Wildcats have won 6 national championships in football, 23 state championships, and 40 regional championships. Valdosta High plays its home games at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
located in downtown Valdosta. Cross-town rival Lowndes High School
has also built a strong program, winning five state titles (1980, 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2007).http://www.lowndesfootball.com/history.htm Since 1968, the Wildcats' record against Lowndes County is 33-16 with 0 ties, scoring an average of 20.9 ppg as compared to Lowndes County's 10.1 ppg. The Wildcats however had a dry run losing 7 straight until their 21-17 come from behind victory in 2011.In 2001, Valdosta High School's football coach, Mike O'Brien, told a national gathering of coaches:
In the summer of 2008, due in part to the successes of the Valdosta High School athletic programs, Valdosta, Georgia
was featured on ESPN
as a candidate for Titletown USA. TitleTown USA was a month-long segment on ESPN that started in the spring of 2008 and continued through July. Fans nominated towns and cities across the country based on their championship pedigree. A panel reviewed the nominees and fan voting in May determined the 20th finalist. SportsCenter
visited each city in July, and fan voting July 23–27 determined the winner. On July 28, 2008 Valdosta was named Titletown
, USA by ESPN.
The girls golf team has also been region champions four times (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005).
Thomas also conducts the wind ensemble, which has received straight superior ratings at the Georgia Large Group Performance Evaluations held in Waycross, Georgia and then Jesup, Georgia. In 2006, the wind ensemble performed in the Heritage Festival in New York City, receiving superior ratings and 2nd place overall in the concert band category. In 2007, the ensemble performed at the Music USA Festival in Orlando, Florida, receiving straight superior ratings as well as overall concert band grand champion. The ensemble consistently performs level 6 music, which is most challenging level in the state of Georgia.
The jazz ensemble is under the direction of trombonist and vocalist Andrew Hill. The jazz ensemble performs at events in the state of Georgia, including: the ABAC Jazz Festival, the Waycross Jazz festival, and country club and social events in south Georgia. Its musical selections include swing, Latin, bebop, funk, rock, and big band.
In 2008 Valdosta High School's music program added an indoor percussion ensemble led by percussion instructor Ted Turner. It is now led by Travis Downs. In its first year the percussion ensemble won a best-in-class award in the novice class of the Ware County indoor percussion festival and contest, and also performed in a festival in the Florida circuit.
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....
located in Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 54,518. The Valdosta metropolitan area, according to the 2010 estimate, has a population of 139,588...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The school colors are gold and black. The school mascot is the "Wildcat".
School
Valdosta High School (VHS) serves grades 9-12 in the Valdosta City School District. Valdosta High School offers a wide range of academic choices, ranging from technical, college preparatory, Advanced Placement, and an International Baccalaureate programme. Valdosta High is the home to 31 faculty sponsored clubs including Key Club, FBLA, DECA, Model UN, Science and Journalism. The Valdosta High Math team won the 2009 regional championship, and VHS won the regional Academic Bowl 4 of the last 5 years. Valdosta High was fully Integrated in 1969, when students from Pinevale High School combined to Valdosta High School. Although, full integration did not happen until 1969, the first African American students attended Valdosta High in 1965 well ahead of most High Schools in the state. (Full integration was achieved by merging two high schools into one, causing severe overcrowding, and in 1971, VHS had 1400 students in a building designed to hold 700.) The present Valdosta High School building opened in 1973; it replaced the old Williams Street building which served as Valdosta High since 1922 and burned to the ground in 1977. J.L. Newbern and Valdosta Middle School are the two main feeder schools to Valdosta High.Football
Valdosta High School is home to the winningest high school football program in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with a record 861 wins, 202 losses, and 34 ties with a winning percentage of 78.6% as of November 26th, 2010. From 1913-2010, the Wildcats have won 6 national championships in football, 23 state championships, and 40 regional championships. Valdosta High plays its home games at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
Bazemore-Hyder Stadium
Bazemore–Hyder Stadium at Cleveland Field is a stadium in Valdosta, Georgia. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Valdosta High School. Valdosta State University, winner of the NCAA Division II National Football Championship in 2004 and 2007, also uses...
located in downtown Valdosta. Cross-town rival Lowndes High School
Lowndes High School
Lowndes High School is a public high school in Valdosta, Georgia, USA. The school is part of the Lowndes school system, which serves Lowndes County except for the city of Valdosta.-History:...
has also built a strong program, winning five state titles (1980, 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2007).http://www.lowndesfootball.com/history.htm Since 1968, the Wildcats' record against Lowndes County is 33-16 with 0 ties, scoring an average of 20.9 ppg as compared to Lowndes County's 10.1 ppg. The Wildcats however had a dry run losing 7 straight until their 21-17 come from behind victory in 2011.In 2001, Valdosta High School's football coach, Mike O'Brien, told a national gathering of coaches:
In the summer of 2008, due in part to the successes of the Valdosta High School athletic programs, Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 54,518. The Valdosta metropolitan area, according to the 2010 estimate, has a population of 139,588...
was featured on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
as a candidate for Titletown USA. TitleTown USA was a month-long segment on ESPN that started in the spring of 2008 and continued through July. Fans nominated towns and cities across the country based on their championship pedigree. A panel reviewed the nominees and fan voting in May determined the 20th finalist. SportsCenter
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
visited each city in July, and fan voting July 23–27 determined the winner. On July 28, 2008 Valdosta was named Titletown
Titletown
Titletown, TitleTown, or Title Town or similarly Titletown USA, TitleTown USA, Title Town USA, or Titletown, USA may refer to:...
, USA by ESPN.
Basketball
In 2008 the Valdosta High School Basketball Team was one of the most successful basketball teams in Valdosta High School History while also one of the best in the state of Georgia who went 28-2. The team was coached by Rufus Mcduffie who previously coached Mitchell Baker High and won 5 state championships.Golf
The boys golf team at Valdosta High won six consecutive state championships in the 1950s. Valdosta won three state titles in Class A (1954, 1955, 1956), two in Class AA (1957, 1958), and one title in Class AAA (1959). The golf team has won seven region championships (1959, 1961, 1970, 1977, 1978, 2002, 2003).The girls golf team has also been region champions four times (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005).
Music
The marching band "Marchin' Cats" is the most recognizable performing group of Valdosta High School. The Marchin' Cats have a history of success beginning with their former and nationally recognized director, Frank Butenschon. Butenschon led the Marchin' Cats to numerous national field and parade championships and sweepstakes during his tenure as head director. The Marchin' Cats are now under the leadership of Michael Thomas. Since Thomas' arrival in 2006, the Marchin' Cats have won a contest grand championship in each of his four years. Their latest win was at the Battle On The Border in Lowndes County, on October 24th, 2009.Thomas also conducts the wind ensemble, which has received straight superior ratings at the Georgia Large Group Performance Evaluations held in Waycross, Georgia and then Jesup, Georgia. In 2006, the wind ensemble performed in the Heritage Festival in New York City, receiving superior ratings and 2nd place overall in the concert band category. In 2007, the ensemble performed at the Music USA Festival in Orlando, Florida, receiving straight superior ratings as well as overall concert band grand champion. The ensemble consistently performs level 6 music, which is most challenging level in the state of Georgia.
The jazz ensemble is under the direction of trombonist and vocalist Andrew Hill. The jazz ensemble performs at events in the state of Georgia, including: the ABAC Jazz Festival, the Waycross Jazz festival, and country club and social events in south Georgia. Its musical selections include swing, Latin, bebop, funk, rock, and big band.
In 2008 Valdosta High School's music program added an indoor percussion ensemble led by percussion instructor Ted Turner. It is now led by Travis Downs. In its first year the percussion ensemble won a best-in-class award in the novice class of the Ware County indoor percussion festival and contest, and also performed in a festival in the Florida circuit.
Notable alumni
- Noah Langdale, President of Georgia State UniversityGeorgia State UniversityGeorgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
from 1957 to 1988. - Buck BelueBuck BelueBenjamin Franklin "Buck" Belue played American football and baseball at the University of Georgia from 1978 to 1981. He was the quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1980, when the team went 12-0, and, after beating Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, was named the consensus national champion...
, football and baseball player, sports radio personality - Todd Peterson (born 1970), former NFL player
- Coleman RudolphColeman RudolphColeman Rudolph is a former player in the NFL. He played for the New York Jets and the New York Giants. He played collegiately for the Georgia Tech football team. He was also inducted as a member of the Valdosta High School Hall of Fame in 2007. He is a member of the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame and...
, American football player, former Georgia Tech college player, N.Y. Giants and N.Y. Jets NFL player - Dana BrinsonDana BrinsonDana Brinson is a former professional American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the eight round of the 1989 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska....
, former NFL player - Stan Rome, former Kansas City Chiefs player
- Willie Gary, NFL Rams played in Super Bowl XXXVI
- Dusty BonnerDusty BonnerDusty Bonner is a former American football quarterback.He was a standout Harlon Hill Trophy winner in 2000 and 2001 while playing for Valdosta State University, and was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002 by the Atlanta Falcons.-University of Kentucky:At Kentucky, Bonner was the backup...
, VSU quarterback, later played for Kentucky and eventually NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and arena football league - William "Red" Dawson Only surviving Coach of the 1970 Marshall Tragedy, Chronicled in the movie We Are MarshallWe Are MarshallWe Are Marshall is a 2006 American drama film directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol about the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that killed 37 football players on the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team as well as five coaches, two athletic trainers, the athletic director, 25 boosters and...