Washington High School, commonly referred to as Massillon High School or Massillon Washington High School, is a 9th to 12th grade secondary school within the Massillon City School District in the city of Massillon, Ohio, United States. It serves students within the city of Massillon as well as parts of Tuscarawas Township.
The school colors are orange and black, and the school's athletic teams are known as the Massillon Tigers.
Academics
Ashland Arrows vs Massillon Tigers Football Regional Semifinal 2017 - Take a journey with the Ashland Arrows high school football team as they take on Massillon Washington in the Ohio Region 7 Semifinals. Created by BS Media (bsmediapros@gmail.com)
Washington High School provides programs including college readiness and vocational technical careers. Developing Resources for Education and Athletics in Massillon (D.R.E.A.M) is a collaborative effort through the Paul & Carol David Foundation, Massillon schools, Walsh University and the Aultman Health Foundation and provides students interested in a career in sports medicine to earn college credits in high school. Rated an "Excellent" school district by the Ohio Department of Education.
History
The original Washington High School was constructed in 1913 and sits on the corner of Oak and 1st street in downtown Massillon. Washington High School was constructed in 1992 adjacent to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
Football
Football came to Massillon in 1894 with the first high school game between Massillon High School and Canton Central High School. In the early years, the players consisted of working boys because most boys did not attend high school. By 1904 more boys began attending school past 8th grade. 1909 was Massillon's first undefeated football team. From 1910-1920 high school football in Massillon grew and improved, and by 1916 they were named the Scholastic Champions of Ohio. The school mascot, the Tiger, was adopted from the city's former professional football team known as the Massillon Tigers.
Paul Brown, a 1925 graduate of Washington High School, returned to Massillon in 1932 to begin his renowned coaching career. In his nine years at Massillon, Brown posted an 80â€"8â€"2 record which included a 35-game winning streak and six state championships.
The Massillon Tigers are historically one of the winningest high school football teams in the United States, second only to Valdosta High School in Valdosta, Georgia. The Tigers have compiled a current record of 853 wins, 283 losses, and 36 ties as of the end of the 2015 season. Along with the Canton McKinley High School Bulldogs, the Tigers represent one half of what many consider to be the greatest high school football rivalry in the nation. It is the only high school contest in America to feature odds in Las Vegas. In 126 meetings (1894â€"2015), Massillon leads the series 68-53-5. Massillon and their fierce rivalry with Canton are subjects of the 2001 documentary film Go Tigers!. A total of 23 professional players, 3 NFL coaches and 14 collegiate all-Americans have graduated from Massillon High School.
The Tigers play their home games at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. The stadium currently holds 16,600 people and is named after former Tiger player and head coach Paul Brown. Besides being the regular season home of the Massillon Tiger Football team, the stadium hosts Ohio High School Athletic Association state football playoff games, divisional championship games, as well as numerous other activities such as band shows and other sports including soccer.
Every fall, the booster club provides a live tiger cub named "Obie" who is on the sidelines for each home football game. So strong is the tradition and history, the booster club provides each baby boy born in Massillon a miniature football.
In summer 2008, due to the success of the Tigers' athletic programs, ESPN nominated the city of Massillon as a candidate for Titletown USA. The final results ended with Massillon finishing in the top 4.
Titles
Prior to the implementation of the playoff system in 1972, Washington High School won the Ohio AP State Championship title 23 times. Most recently in 2005 they were runner-up to Cincinnati St. Xavier in a 24â€"17 loss in the state championship game.
They have been recognized as the AP National Champions nine times â€" in 1935, 1936, 1939, 1940, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1959, 1961 â€" the most in the nation.
Past coaches
- Hap Fugate, 1909â€"1911 (19â€"8â€"3)
- Sidney Jones, 1912â€"1913 (9â€"9â€"1)
- John Snavely, 1914â€"1919 (41â€"8â€"2)
- Elmer Snyder, 1920 (3â€"4â€"1)
- Dave Stewart, 1921â€"1925 (38â€"9)
- Dan Atkinson, 1926â€"1927 (8â€"7â€"3)
- Elmer McGrew, 1928â€"1931 (20â€"16â€"4)
- Paul Brown, 1932â€"1940 (80â€"8â€"2)
- Bud Houghton, 1941, 1946â€"1947 (21â€"6â€"3)
- Elwood Kammer, 1942â€"1944 (26â€"4)
- Augie Morningstar, 1945 (5â€"0â€"5)
- Chuck Mather, 1948â€"1953 (57â€"3)
- Tom Harp, 1954â€"1955 (17â€"2â€"1)
- Lee Tressel, 1956â€"1957 (16â€"3)
- Leo Strang, 1958â€"1963 (54â€"8â€"1)
- Earle Bruce, 1964â€"1965 (20â€"0)
- Bob Seaman, 1966â€"1968 (20â€"9â€"1)
- Bob Commings, 1969â€"1973 (43â€"6â€"2)
- Chuck Shuff, 1974â€"1975 (12â€"7â€"1)
- Mike Currence, 1976â€"1984 (79â€"16â€"2)
- John Maronto, 1985â€"1987 (20â€"10)
- Lee Owens, 1988â€"1991 (35â€"13)
- Jack Rose, 1992â€"1997 (48â€"17)
- Rick Shepas, 1998â€"2004 (53â€"27)
- Tom Stacey, 2005â€"2007 (26â€"11)
- Jason Hall, 2008â€"2014 (57â€"21)
- Nate Moore, 2015â€"present
Notable alumni
- Andy Alleman, offensive lineman; played college football at the University of Akron and currently plays for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs
- Paul Brown, Washington H.S. Head Coach 1932-40; Head Coach, Ohio State; Head Coach 1946-1962, Cleveland Browns; elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967; Head Coach/General Manager 1968-75, Cincinnati Bengals
- Earle Bruce, undefeated Washington H.S. Head Coach 1964-65; Head Coach University of Tampa, Iowa State University, Ohio State University, University of Northern Iowa, and Colorado State University 1972-1992
- David Canary, actor who starred in both soap operas and prime time television
- Shawn Crable, linebacker for the University of Michigan, drafted by the New England Patriots. 2-time All-Big Ten, 2nd Team Walter Camp All-American in 2007. Drafted in the 3rd round.
- Bill Edwards, former head coach of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, and former college football Hall of Fame head coach.
- Dennis Franklin, former wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. Franklin was the first African American starting quarterback for the University of Michigan.
- Horace Gillom, former punter and offensive end in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns
- Lin Houston, former guard who played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Browns
- Don James, quarterback and defensive back for two state championship teams; Head Coach University of Washington 1975-92, Kent State 1971-74; National College Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1991; elected to College Football Hall of Fame in 1997
- Tommy James, former defensive halfback for the Cleveland Browns
- Mark Kozelek (class of 1984), lead singer of Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon; actor (Almost Famous)
- Ed Molinski, College Football Hall of Fame
- Jack Oliver, geophysicist who studied earthquakes and ultimately provided seismic evidence supporting plate tectonics
- Chris Spielman, linebacker, Class of 1984 (All American); (College) LB, Ohio State 1984-87 (two-time All American, three-time All Big Ten); (Pro) LB, 1988-95 Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills 1996-97, 1999 Cleveland Browns (four-time Pro Bowl honors
- Stalley, born Kyle Myricks (musician/rapper), signed to Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group.
- Harry Stuhldreher, quarterback, later one of the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame
- Jeff Timmons (Class of 1991), singer-songwriter/musician, founder/member of 98 Degrees, former artist on Motown Records & Universal Records
- Stanfield Wells, Massillon's first All-American, named to Walter Camp's All-America team at the end position in 1910
- George Whitfield Jr., former Arena Football League player
- Alex Wood (Class of 1974), college football and NFL coach
- Justin Zwick, set several Ohio High School passing records en route to a scholarship to play at Ohio State University
- Erik White, Quarterback - BGSU; two-time MAC MVP (1991,1992); 24-7-2 as a starter
- Devin Smith, former Wide Receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes and presently the New York Jets. Played in the Buckeye's National Championship victory in 2014.
- Gareon Conley, NFL cornerback for the Oakland Raiders
Massillon Tiger Swing Band
The Massillon Tiger Swing Band was created by the legendary George "Red" Bird in 1938 during the Paul Brown era of Massillon football. The band became known as "The Greatest Show in High School Football" and is still a very important part of the Massillon football tradition. The band's swing style includes moving formations and musicians marching with a swing step. The Tiger Swing band begins every home football game with the traditional hometown songs of "Massillon Will Shine", "Stand Up and Cheer" (to acknowledge the other team), the National Anthem, "Eye of the Tiger" and the WHS Alma Mater. At the beginning of each half time show, they perform what is known as "Opening Routine". This is a tradition that goes back for decades and consists of the band's entrance ("Turn Arounds") followed by "Fanfare", "Tiger Rag" and "Carry On". This entire routine is marched at 180 beats per minute and is practiced from the beginning of the rehearsals through the entire season. Each home game the Swing Band performs a new halftime show for the crowd, always with a theme. The band includes the Drum Major, Majorettes, and the mascot, Obie.
The Swing Band is currently directed by Jason Neel, who is in his 10th year as the Massillon Tiger Swing Band's director. The 2011 edition of the Massillon Tiger Swing Band had an enrollment of 137.
References
External links
- School website
- Massillon City School District
- Massillon Tigers football history
- Massillon Proud
- Tiger Swing Band