Catholic Central High School (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

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Catholic Central High School
Address
319 Sheldon Boulevard SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan, (Kent County), 49503
 United States
Coordinates 42°57′24″N 85°40′2″W / 42.95667°N 85.66722°W / 42.95667; -85.66722Coordinates: 42°57′24″N 85°40′2″W / 42.95667°N 85.66722°W / 42.95667; -85.66722
Information
Type Private, Coeducational
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic
Established 1906
Principal Stephen Passinault
Asst. Principal Greg Deja
Pastor/President Rev. R. Louis Stasker
Grades 9–12
Enrollment 815 (2008)
Student:teacher ratio 18:1
Color(s) Blue and White         
Athletics conference Ottawa-Kent Conference (Gold Division)
Accreditation(s) North Central Association of Colleges and Schools [1]
Newspaper Blue and White
Athletic Director Todd Kolster
Website grcatholiccentral.com

Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School is a Catholic high school located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. The first private coeducational high school in the country, it was founded in 1906 by the Diocese of Grand Rapids so that those attending grammar school at local parishes could continue their education.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] The beginning

Catholic Central was formed in 1906. At its inception the school consisted of two separate buildings: the boys' school, and the girls' school. During this time there was very little interaction between the two sexes. Just a few years before World War I started, a disastrous fire erupted, destroying the boys' school entirely. For about a year afterward, the girls attended school in the morning, and the boys were taught in the girls' school in the afternoon.

[edit] Expansion

It was eventually realized that the two schools belonged together, so, in time, the boys' school and girls' school became one and members of both genders attended school together.

After World War II, Catholic Central experienced an influx of students. The small campus could not handle those attending, so in 1962 West Catholic High School was founded by sending freshmen and sophomores to a new location referred to as "the annex". Both schools held four grade levels of students as new students from the west side started to attend West Catholic, and the others Catholic Central.

[edit] To The Present

In the late 1980s, Catholic Central underwent a dramatic transformation as much of the school was renovated and a new wing was added to the school. In the late 1990s, a new one-story building was added next to the main building; in 2003, a second floor was added to accommodate the Religion Department.

In the 2005-2006 school year, Catholic Central celebrated 100 years of service to the Grand Rapids community. Events included a Speaker's Series focusing on Faith and Education, Community Service Projects, memorabilia to commemorate the event, a historical display and the release of a book celebrating the centennial. A Centennial parade, a football game vs West Catholic, and a Winter Sportfest drew large crowds to enjoy the Centennial festivities.

[edit] Administration

The school has had many principals over the years. The current CC principal is Steve Passinault, and the Assistant Principal is Greg Deja.

[edit] Sports

The school's sports teams are collectively referred to as the Cougars, and the school colors are Royal Blue and White. They compete in the Ottawa-Kent Conferencein the Gold Division

State Championships (MHSAA unless noted):

  • 1943 Football - Open Class (mythical championship)
  • 1949 Football - Class A (Detroit Free Press & mythical championship)
  • 1951 Football - Class A (Detroit Free Press)
  • 1959 Football - Class A (Associated Press & Detroit Free Press)
  • 1982 Boys cross country - Class B
  • 1984 Boys cross country - Class B
  • 1985 Baseball - Class B
  • 1987 Football - Class B
  • 1987 Girls cross country - Class B
  • 1998 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
  • 1999 Competitive cheer - Class B
  • 1999 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
  • 2000 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
  • 2001 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
  • 2003 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
  • 2004 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
  • 2005 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)

State Runners-up (MHSAA unless noted):

  • 1955 Football - Class A (Associated Press)
  • 1969 Football - Class A (Associated Press)
  • 1978 Football - Class B
  • 1981 Boys cross country - Class B
  • 1983 Boys cross country - Class B
  • 1994 Baseball - Class B
  • 2002 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
  • 2003 Baseball - Division 2
  • 2005 Football - Division 4
  • 2006 Rugby - Division I (MYRA)
  • 2006 Ice hockey - Division 3
  • 2007 Ice hockey - Division 3
  • 2009 Girls Basketball- Division 3

[edit] Rugby

Grand Rapids Catholic Central has been the most dominant rugby team in the state of Michigan since the school offered the sport in 1998. The C.C. rugby team has won the state title every year from 1998 to 2005 and was state runner-up in 2006 and 2007[2]. In 2003 and 2004 Catholic Central placed third at the Midwest Rugby Tournament[3] earning them a bid to the U.S.A. Rugby National Tournament[4] both years. Of the top sixteen teams in the nation, Catholic Central placed 12th in 2003 and 11th in 2004.

The team is coached by Jeff Cowdrey, who is credited with starting the team at Catholic Central back in 1998--along with Matt Mileskiewicz and Jason Cheasaning. Coach Cowdrey played for Michigan State University during his college years and he then played for the U.S. Rugby Men's 7s team after he graduated.

[edit] Notable Alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ NCA-CASI. "NCA-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". http://www.advanc-ed.org/schools_districts/school_district_listings/?. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  2. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Rapids_Catholic_Central_High_School
  3. ^ http://www.midwestyouthrugby.com/
  4. ^ http://www.usarugby.org/default.asp

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Central_High_School_(Grand_Rapids,_Michigan)"