Archbishop Riordan High School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Archbishop Riordan High School |
|
 |
|
| Motto: Mihi Vivere Christus Est | |
| Established | 1949 |
| Type | Private, Catholic, All-Boys, secondary, Marianist |
| President | Father Thomas French, S.M. |
| Principal | Gabriel Crotti |
| Students | 730 (approx) |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Location | San Francisco, California USA |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Purple, Gold |
| Mascot | Crusader |
| Yearbook | Lance |
| Newspaper | The Crusader |
| Website | www.riordanhs.org |
Archbishop Riordan High School is an Archdiocesan, all-boys Catholic high school run by members of the Society of Mary in San Francisco, California. Originally called Riordan High School, the school was named after Archbishop Patrick William Riordan, the second Archbishop of San Francisco, and opened in the fall of 1949. In 1990, Archbishop was officially added to the school's name.
Contents |
[edit] Mission Statement
Archbishop Riordan High School, an Archdiocesan Catholic High School in the Marianist Tradition, develops the character of young men and instills Christian values in an environment of academic excellence that reflects the cultural diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area.
[edit] History
Archbishop Riordan High School was opened in September of 1949 and was entrusted to the direction of the Society of Mary (The Marianists). The Society of Mary is an international religious congregation of men in the service of the Catholic Church. The Society was founded by Father William Joseph Chaminade in 1817 at Bordeaux, France. This society has a unique characteristic in the Church. It's members -- Brothers and priests, teachers and non-teachers -- belong to it on a plane of absolute equality; there are differences in function, but none of rank, privilege, or prerogative. Education is the principal work of the Society, though a large number of religious are in other works of the apostolate such as preaching, parish work, orphanages, missions, and directing lay apostolate groups.
The Marianists were invited to California in 1884 by Archbishop Patrick Riordan. In the summer of 1886, five Marianists from Saint Mary's Stockton began the many years of service in San Francisco. At St. Joseph's Parish, in the downtown district of the City, they began a grammar school for boys. In 1906, the Marianists opened a high school department at Saint James while also conducting Saint James Grammar School in the Mission District. With the increasing demands for another and still larger boys high school in San Francisco, the Marianists closed the high school department at Saint James in 1949 and moved to the newly constructed Archbishop Riordan High School, a monument to the memory of Archbishop Patrick William Riordan, D.D., second Archbishop of San Francisco, 1884-1914.
[edit] The Marianists
The Marianist Organization has remained a guiding force throughout Riordan's existence and follow several specific Characteristics of Education in the Marianist Tradition They are:
- Educate for formation in faith.
- Provide an integral quality education.
- Education in family spirit.
- Educate for service, justice & peace.
- Education for adaptation & change
[edit] Academics
ARHS utilizes an “intensive block,” schedule commonly known as the 4x4 schedule. The school year is split into two semesters, the Fall and Spring, and students take four courses each semester. Each class lasts eighty minutes, thus providing time for students and teachers to delve more deeply and actively into topics and activities. This emphasis on depth promotes greater understanding of skills, concepts, and ideas than the traditional fifty-minute period allows.
In addition, the 4x4 allows ARHS students to take eight different ten-credit courses per school year rather than six, as is the norm in traditional school schedules. Therefore, over a four-year career ARHS students will be able to take eight more classes than students in schools with traditional schedules. A Riordan student’s academic course load will not merely fulfill University of California and California State University requirements, it will exceed them, with ample room to spare to sample the expanded elective opportunities available to him.
One major criticism of the 4x4 scedule is in respect to Advanced Placement courses. Such AP courses taught in the Fall semester would end in December but the actual AP Exam is in May. Thus, the student is expected to retain the learned material for five months. In addition, because the AP exam is administered in early May, courses taught in the Spring semester are often cut short by three weeks. Three weeks, while seemingly a short amount of time, is very valuable in the 4x4 block schedule and often forces the instructor to "cram" the material in the weeks approaching the AP exam.
Archbishop Riordan High School also offers a variety of Honors and Advanced Placement courses. The AP Calculus class, taught by Mr. Paul Arrigotti, is nationally recognized for its high passing rates and scholastic achievement.
[edit] Student Body
The 100% male student population ranges from 730 to 745 at Archbishop Riordan High School. The student body is currently 25% Caucasian, 22% Hispanic, 20% Filipino, 10% Chinese, 10% Multi-Ethnic/Other, 7% Black American, and 6% other Asian ethnicities. In terms of religious affiliation, 81% of the student body is Catholic. 18% of the student body is a different Christian denomonation, and 1% is another non Christian group. 99% of Archbishop Riordan graduates go on to higher education.
[edit] Athletics
The Riordan Crusaders field a variety of team and individual Sports in the West Catholic Athletic League, one of the most highly competitive leagues in California. Sports that Riordan fields are football, cross-country, wrestling, basketball, soccer, track, tennis, baseball, swimming, and golf. Riordan's most notable championship seasons include a WCAL Championship in football in 2000, a CIF State Championship in basketball in 2002, WCAL championship in track in 2004, a CCS title in track in 2005, and a Div. III CCS championship in basketball in 2006.
[edit] Sports History
[edit] 1950's
Riordan athletics would begin in the fifties, a time when many high schools, both public and private, were rapidly expanding due to the Baby Boom. Participating in the newly created Catholic League for high schools around San Francisco, the crusaders experienced immediate success in a multitude of areas. The student body enthusiastically supported the program, as Riordan fielded new sports every few years. Notable events of the decade include the first football game at Riordan (September 18, 1951), the first homecoming night rally (November 10, 1955), the Rordan versus St. Ignatius College Preparatory football game at Seals Stadium (November 3, 1956), the Faculty versus Seniors basketball game (April 4, 1957), and the Block Society's soponsoring of Fight Night, which featured eight boxing matches as well as wrestling and judo (March 28, 1958).
Sports at Riordan was initially shaped by Mr. Edward Fennelly, then a 24 year old graduate of St. John's High School in Alameda. He coached the basketball and track teams, but would expand his influence on the Riordan in the years to come. To many, he is a symbol of the origins and development of Riordan, and to thousands of alumni was the epitome of sportsmanship and gentlemanly behavior. He would coach, teach and serve as an administrater for 40 years.
[edit] 1960's
During the '60's, Riordan athletics would blossom into a major force in the Bay Area. Joining the new West Catholic Athletic League in 1967, the Crusaders became successful in a number of athletic endeavors. The victory bell was introduced, which still resides in the junior hallway of the school. It was put to good use, as basketball won varsity championships in '60, '68, and '69, cross country won champinonships in '65, '66, '68, and '69), football in '66 and Track in '67 and '68.
As the CAL divided, and Riordan joined the WCAL, Ed Fennelly became commissioner. This coincided with the 1966 football team dramatically won the championship against league powerhouse Bellarmine. Under "Doc" Erskine, the Crusaders battled the Bellarmine Bells under the lights of Kezar Stadium to come out on top - 13-10. In their exuberance after the game, studens tore down the goalposts at Kezar, fashioning trophies of the wood. These trophies, signed by the team reside in the Crusader Forum today, remebering their legendary upset for the first WCAL championship.
[edit] 1970's
The '70's saw the most varsity championships (13 in all) and the greatest varsity record (6 sports). They included: One each in track and cross country, 2 in football and baseball, 3 in basketball, and 4 in soccer. Soccer soared at Rioran during the decade. The Varsity won four consecutive WCAL titles and the Central Coast Section championship in 1976. Never before or since has soccer reached the same heights, but during those years achievement came from talent, enthusiasm, and hard work under the guide of Coach Tom Carroll.
Riordan saw the birth of Camp Crusader, a summer camp for the Riordan athletes of the future. Mr. Ron Isola inaugurated the camp in 1974 for boys in 4th through 8th grades. Consisting of two three week sessions, hundreds of youngsters swarmed to Riordan. Original organized leagues included baseball, football, soccer, basketball, pee-wee golf, tennis, track, field hockey, tumbling, wrestling, and bowling. Participants received a camp polo shirt and a trip to see the Giants at Candlestick Park.
[edit] 1980's
By 1980, Riordan had established itself as a Bay Area powerhouse in a variety of sports, but had yet to create an athletic niche, an area that would unquestionably be the territory of the Crusaders. Under the direction of Coach Ron Isola, Riordan would become a basketball juggernaut, winning six straight championships from 1985 to 1990. A legend in his own time, Isola ushered in an era of Riordan dominance in basketball, going to sectional and state championships a number of times.
Another feature of the '80's would be the wrestling program. Started in 1979 under Coach Steve Swanson, the sport caught fire amongst the student body, and matches were a highlight of the week. Although the Crusaders never won a championship, Swanson guided ten individual league champion wrestlers and six CCS placers. Among these was Adam Cohen, two time CCS champion and an eventual NCAA finalist at Arizona State University. Wrestlers competed abroad as well, carrying the Crusader banner to Las Vegas, Honolulu and Russia.
[edit] Extra/Co-Curricular Programs
Archbishop Riordan High School sponsors a variety of co-curricular and extra-curricular programs. Worthy of note is the school's band program, which has won numerous awards and distinctions in competitions nationwide. Riordan's Drama, Video Production, and Art Programs are the other well known arts students of Riordan are able to be involved in.
Other clubs include:
- Academic/Quiz Bowl
- African-American Student Union
- Amnesty International Social Justice
- Asian American Association
- Audio-Visual Club (Video)
- Block Club
- Bowling Club
- Breakdancers
- Chess Club
- California Scholarship Federation
- DJ Club
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Euro-American Club (2006)
- Fantasy Club
- Friends of Bufano (Art)
- Guitar Club
- Hula Club
- Interact Club
- Junior State of America
- Lancers
- Latinos Unidos
- Men's Vocal Ensemble
- Mestizos-Hapa Unidos
- Crusader Newspaper
- National Honor Society
- Philippine-American Coalition
- Photography Club
- RC Club
- Speech and Debate
- Step Team
- Student Government
- United Arab Club
- Yearbook
- Yell Team
[edit] Alma Mater
- Sing from the top of the mountain,
- Of Riordan's hallowed name
- Ring through the soft green valley,
- Our alma mater's fame
- Our Purple is loyalty,
- Our Gold is tried and true!
- All hail to Riordan High School,
- Hail Alma Mater
- Hail Alma Mater
- Hail all hail to you!
It should also be noted that following all sports events, the Alma Mater is sung by not only by the team, but members of the crowd as well, who are all accompanied by the ARHS pep band.
[edit] Archbishop Riordan Principals
- Brother John McCluskey, S.M., M.A. 1949 - 1952
- Father Paul G. Kelley, S.M., M.A. 1952 - 1955
- Brother Maurice W. Miller, S.M., M.A. 1955 - 1961
- Brother Herman J. Gerber, S.M., M.A. 1961 - 1965
- Brother Maurice W. Miller, S.M., M.A. 1965 - 1966
- Brother Harold R. Hammond, S.M., M.A. 1966 - 1969
- Father John E. McEnhill, S.M., M.A. 1969 - 1976
- Brother John J. Haster, S.M., M.A. 1976 - 1985
- Father William A. O'Connell, S.M., M.A. 1985 - 1992
- Father Timothy M. Kenney, S.M., M.A., M.Div. 1992 - 2001
- Brother James Dods, S.M. 2001 - 2003
- Mr. Gabriel Crotti 2004 - Present
[edit] Notable Alumni
- Joe Spano - best known as emmy-nominated actor starring in "Hill Street Blues"
- Donald Strickland - '98 San Francisco 49ers Cornerback.
- Sal Casteneda - Traffic anchor for KTVU.
- Derrick Loville- '86 former San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams Running Back
- [Ralph Briones][1]- '92 Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker whose most notable work "Tagumpay" has been featured on National Television, Film Festivals.
