Madison East High School

Madison East High School
Location
Madison , Wisconsin USA
Information
Type	Public secondary
Motto	Diversity and Pride.
Established	1922
Oversight	Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD)
Principal	Alan Harris
Grades	9–12
Number of students	2,040 (2005-2006)
Color(s)	Purple and Gold
Mascot	Purgolders
Newspaper	Tower Times
Website	http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/east/

Madison East High School is one of four comprehensive four-year high schools in Madison, Wisconsin. It was established in 1922, making it the oldest high school still operating in Madison. The school mascot is "Peppy the Purgolder", an animal resembling a puma. Madison East athletes compete in the WIAA Big Eight Conference and is well known for their dominant girl's swim team that won the WIAA Division 1 state meet. It also boasts an unusually high amount of bomb threats - there has been one every month since the 2006-2007 term began.

Courses

More than 50% of East's graduates go on to a four-year college, with a large number of additional students attending two year campuses such as the Madison Area Technical College. Academically motivating, talented and gifted (TAG), and advanced classes are available throughout the curriculum. Advanced Placement (AP) courses include calculus AB, calculus BC, French V, Spanish V, music theory, psychology, macro-economics, micro-economics, Eurpoean history and computer science. Courses are available in advanced physics, advanced chemistry, anatomy, aviation, literature, composition, creative writing, speed reading, and computer programming. The Fine Arts that East houses are among some of the best. Amongst these many fine programs, East High School is well known for it's amazing Band program and Encore Show Choir. This Show Choir meets everyday during school and once a week after school. This school is known for the inside, "mall" which consists of the bricks made up from the older building before the school was expanded. This mall area is home to the majority of the lockers in the school, but also the hang-out places for each class. The forum is reserved for freshman, but upperclassmen are definitely allowed to chill there. Above the freshman forum is the 'Sophomore Wall', then if you walk more towards the cafeteria there is the 'Junior and Senior' walls.

Athletics

East's sports include football and soccer, along with tennis, golf, wrestling, cross country and swimming. The school excels in soccer, with the 2006 boys team making it to state. The girls tennis team made it to state in 2005, 2006, and 2007. The 2007 girls swim team won state. The varsity football team, however, is not too good, winning 2 of their 8 games in the 2007 season.

Notable Alumni

• Connie Carpenter-Phinney (class of '75), professional cycle racer/speed skater and 1984 Summer Olympics Gold Medalist
• Dale Hackbart (class of '56), NFL linebacker/safety, Green Bay Packers (1960), Washington Redskins (1961-1963), Minnesota Vikings (1966-1970), St. Louis Cardinals (1971-1972), Denver Broncos (1973)
• Donald Hayes, NFL wide receiver, Carolina Panthers (1998-2001, 2004), New England Patriots (2002-2003)
• Gabe Jennings, (class of '97) premier middle distance runner who competed in the 1,500 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
• Jerry Kelly (class of '86), professional golfer, Nike Tour (1995), PGA Tour (1996-current}
• Jim Montgomery (class of '73), swimmer and Olympic gold medalist at the 1976 Montreal Olympics
• Pat Richter, NFL tight end, Washington Redskins (1963-1970), University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletic Director (1989-2004)
• Loren Seagrave(class of 1970), Renowned Track and Field and Performance Coach, Head Women's Track Coach LSU (1985 - 1989) Five NCAA Championships (Twice Coach of the Year), Nine SEC Championships (Four Times Coach of the Year) over 140 All-Americans, NFL Speed and Conditioning Consultant, Atlanta Falcons (1998-2001), Detroit Lions (1999 - 2000), 2000 Head Olympic Coach Liberia. Founder - Velocity Sports Performance.
• Ken Starch (class of '72), NFL running back, Green Bay Packers (1976)
• Bob Suter, 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team, NHL
• Gary Suter (class of '82), NHL 1984-2002
• Georgia Thompson, civil servant whose 2006 corruption conviction was overturned on appeal
• Bradley Whitford (class of '77), actor, Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987), Billy Madison (1995), The West Wing (1999-2006)