Covington Catholic High School
Encyclopedia
Covington Catholic High School (abbreivated CCH or CovCath) is a private, all-male
high school
in Park Hills, Kentucky
. It was founded in 1925 by Bishop Francis William Howard
and Brother George Sauer. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington
.
. At the time, the school was a grade school that also offered what would now be called vocational education
. As time went on, a need for a full four-year Catholic boys' high school in the area developed, and it was decided to open the new Covington Catholic High School in 1925 at Mother of God on 6th Street, with a freshman class of 32. St. Joseph Commercial School was closed the following year as the Brothers of Mary chose to devote their full time to the new school. In the early 1950s it became apparent that Covington Catholic High School would have to be expanded further if it were to continue its role as the central Catholic high school for boys in Northern Kentucky. Pastors from thirteen Northern Kentucky parishes approved plans for construction of a new 44,000 sq./ft. high school building on a 14 acres (56,656 m²) plot in the heart of Park Hills
, just miles away from the previous location in Covington.
The cornerstone was placed in 1954, and the first class graduated from the school in 1955. The class president was Edward Sessinger. The total cost of the building and property was $845,439.44, and was shared by the thirteen parishes.
The school gymnasium was dedicated on January 29, 1955 when the Purcell Marian High School
Cavaliers played Covington Catholic in basketball. Later, through the efforts of the S.C.O.R.E. committee, Wooten Field was added for football, and the baseball field was completely rebuilt. In 1988, the Scott Knochelman Alumni Building was built to accommodate the growing needs of athletic teams. It includes a weight room, locker room, showers, and coaches offices.
In 2002, construction of the current building began directly behind the original structure, finishing in time for the start of the 2003-2004 school year. Since the new school has been built, renovations have been made to all facilities, including a state-of-the-art football field, a remodeled baseball complex, and a restructured gymnasium. The campus has expanded again in 2010 with the acquisition of 5 acres and an adjoining property with a 20,000 building now known as the Griffin Centre, named after the Griffin Family that donated the $865,000 building.
for Northern Kentucky
supremacy. CCH and Highlands were regular contenders for state AAA football titles from the late 1980s until the Kentucky High School Athletic Association
increased the number of classes for football from four to six in 2007. Although CovCath's enrollment would have placed the Colonels in the new Class 4A, and Highlands' would have placed the Bluebirds in the new Class 3A, both schools were approved to move to Class 5A. The rivalry has twice been named the Sporting News' prestigious "Best Prep Rivalry in America." In USA Today
Covington Catholic was named 13th best place in the nation to watch a basketball game. The Colonel Crazies provide cheers and entertainment throughout all sporting events. Crazies make the game a fun and exhilarating experience for players and fans alike.
Single-sex education
Single-sex education, also known as single-gender education, is the practice of conducting education where male and female students attend separate classes or in separate buildings or schools. The practice was predominant before the mid-twentieth century, particularly in secondary education and...
high school
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....
in Park Hills, Kentucky
Park Hills, Kentucky
Park Hills is a city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. A small Upper-Middle class bedroom community located in the Cincinnati Metro Area. Where most home vaules exceed $200,000 dollars. Desirable for its location, only 3 miles from the Cincinnati's Downtown, and 6 miles to the...
. It was founded in 1925 by Bishop Francis William Howard
Francis William Howard
Francis William Howard was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Covington from 1923 until his death in 1944.-Biography:...
and Brother George Sauer. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington
Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington is a Roman Catholic diocese in Northern Kentucky, covering that includes the city of Covington and the following Kentucky counties: Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Gallatin, Carroll, Grant, Owen, Pendleton, Harrison, Bracken, Robertson, Mason, Fleming, and Lewis. ...
.
History
CovCath traces its roots to St. Joseph Commercial School, which was opened in 1885 by three brothers of the Society of Mary, and was affiliated with St. Joseph's Parish in CovingtonCovington, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile . There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 1,556.5 per square mile...
. At the time, the school was a grade school that also offered what would now be called vocational education
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
. As time went on, a need for a full four-year Catholic boys' high school in the area developed, and it was decided to open the new Covington Catholic High School in 1925 at Mother of God on 6th Street, with a freshman class of 32. St. Joseph Commercial School was closed the following year as the Brothers of Mary chose to devote their full time to the new school. In the early 1950s it became apparent that Covington Catholic High School would have to be expanded further if it were to continue its role as the central Catholic high school for boys in Northern Kentucky. Pastors from thirteen Northern Kentucky parishes approved plans for construction of a new 44,000 sq./ft. high school building on a 14 acres (56,656 m²) plot in the heart of Park Hills
Park Hills, Kentucky
Park Hills is a city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. A small Upper-Middle class bedroom community located in the Cincinnati Metro Area. Where most home vaules exceed $200,000 dollars. Desirable for its location, only 3 miles from the Cincinnati's Downtown, and 6 miles to the...
, just miles away from the previous location in Covington.
The cornerstone was placed in 1954, and the first class graduated from the school in 1955. The class president was Edward Sessinger. The total cost of the building and property was $845,439.44, and was shared by the thirteen parishes.
The school gymnasium was dedicated on January 29, 1955 when the Purcell Marian High School
Purcell Marian High School
Purcell Marian High School is a parochial high school in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood Cincinnati, Ohio, United States based in the Marianist Tradition...
Cavaliers played Covington Catholic in basketball. Later, through the efforts of the S.C.O.R.E. committee, Wooten Field was added for football, and the baseball field was completely rebuilt. In 1988, the Scott Knochelman Alumni Building was built to accommodate the growing needs of athletic teams. It includes a weight room, locker room, showers, and coaches offices.
In 2002, construction of the current building began directly behind the original structure, finishing in time for the start of the 2003-2004 school year. Since the new school has been built, renovations have been made to all facilities, including a state-of-the-art football field, a remodeled baseball complex, and a restructured gymnasium. The campus has expanded again in 2010 with the acquisition of 5 acres and an adjoining property with a 20,000 building now known as the Griffin Centre, named after the Griffin Family that donated the $865,000 building.
Athletics
Athletics at Covington Catholic are very esteemed, enjoying a high rate of success in many of its programs despite its small number of students. As an all male school, a large percentage of the enrollment contributes to this success. Covington Catholic routinely battles it out with arch rival Highlands High SchoolHighlands High School (Kentucky)
Fort Thomas Highlands High School, also known as Fort Thomas Highlands, is a public secondary school located in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. Operated by Fort Thomas Independent Schools, Highlands was founded in 1888. The school took its name from the original name of Fort Thomas, "The Highlands"...
for Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky is the name often given to the northernmost counties in Kentucky...
supremacy. CCH and Highlands were regular contenders for state AAA football titles from the late 1980s until the Kentucky High School Athletic Association
Kentucky High School Athletic Association
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has been the governing body of Kentucky high school athletics since 1917. Located in Lexington, the organization sanctions competition in the following sports:*Boys and girls**Basketball**Bowling*...
increased the number of classes for football from four to six in 2007. Although CovCath's enrollment would have placed the Colonels in the new Class 4A, and Highlands' would have placed the Bluebirds in the new Class 3A, both schools were approved to move to Class 5A. The rivalry has twice been named the Sporting News' prestigious "Best Prep Rivalry in America." In USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
Covington Catholic was named 13th best place in the nation to watch a basketball game. The Colonel Crazies provide cheers and entertainment throughout all sporting events. Crazies make the game a fun and exhilarating experience for players and fans alike.
State Championships
- Baseball - 2002
- Cross Country - 1982 1994
- Football - 1987 1988 1993 1994 1997 2006
- Golf - 1969 1984
- Swimming & Diving - 1962 1972 1977 1978 1983 2012
- Track & Field - 2009
Notable alumni
- Steve FleschSteve FleschStephen J. Flesch is an American professional golfer, competing on the PGA Tour.Flesch was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky. After graduation he played golf at the University of Kentucky and turned professional in 1990.Flesch finished in...
, Professional Golfer - Nate DusingNate DusingNathaniel James Dusing is a former freestyle and medley swimmer from the United States, who represented his native country at two consecutive Summer Olympics, starting in 2000 . There he won the silver medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay, although he just swam in the prelims...
, Olympic Swimmer - Brett DietzBrett DietzBrett Dietz is an American football quarterback currently a free agent. He was signed by the Turku Trojans as a street free agent in 2004. He played college football at Hanover. Dietz has also played for the Cincinnati Marshals, Louisville Fire, Tampa Bay Storm and California Redwoods...
, AFLAmerican Football LeagueThe American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
player - Chris HarrisChris HarrisChris Harris may refer to:* Chris Harris , English business author* Chris Harris , American football player* Chris Harris , Texas State Representative and State Senator...
, American professional wrestler - Tim Grogan, Minor League Baseball player
- Chris CasonChris CasonChristopher L. Cason is an American voice actor, ADR Director and Script who works for anime series of Funimation Entertainment...
. Hanover College football player