Northeast Catholic High School
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| "Tenui Nec Dimittam" I have taken hold, and I will not let go. ' |
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| Established | 1926 |
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| School type | High School |
| Principal | Fr. Nicholas Waseline |
| Faculty | 45 |
| Students | Approx 750 |
| Mascot | Falcon |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19124 |
| Information | 215 831-1234 |
| Website | http://www.northcatholic.com/ |
Northeast Catholic High School opened in 1926 as Northeast Catholic High School for Boys, and is located at 1842 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19124. It is under the administration of the high school system of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its sports teams participate in the Philadelphia Catholic League. During the course of its history, at one point it had the largest student body of any Catholic boys school in the world, and today it is known for having the largest number of all-male alumni of any high school in the world.
Northeast Catholic follows the Salesian tradition, which means that "North" priests follow in the footsteps of Saint Francis de Sales in their day to day actions and mission statement.
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[edit] Early years
Northeast Catholic High School for Boys was opened in September 1926 as the fourth Diocesan High School in Philadelphia. The site for the school was purchased from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for $150,000.
The new students were welcomed at the first assembly, held in the gym, by the Rev. Joseph Butler, OSFS, the Principal and Superior. On September 28, the first classes were held.
In September of 1927, North Catholic entered inter-scholastic competition with a football schedule of eight games. Their sole win was over LaSalle 7-6 at the old Frankford Stadium.
The Falcon was chosen as a symbol of the school for three reasons: It is "a bird of prey that never lets go of what it has captured; it is completely faithful to its trainer; and it is the fastest of God's creatures". The students also chose Cardinal Red and White as the school colors: Cardinal Red in appreciation of Dennis Cardinal Dougherty's sponsorship of the school, and White for purity and fidelity. In 1928, the school newspaper, The Good News, was born followed by the founding of The Falcon, the North Catholic Yearbook in 1929.
October 5, 1928, marked the first of the traditional North-Frankford games. Frankford won 20-7. June 12, 1929, marked the first commencement of the school. Bishop Gerald O'Hara presented the diplomas to the 98 graduates.
By the fall of 1935, North's enrollment had climbed to 2,300 students. On September 2, 1937, 2,500 students were enrolled. The school was originally built to accommodate 1,500. To solve the problem of needed space, an annex was opened at the Visitation Parish School.
[edit] World War II
Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Government sought men for the armed forces who had some knowledge of engineering and technical skills. A night school was established at North, and instructors from nearby colleges and universities conducted the classes. These courses continued until the surrender of Japan.
The school year of 1942 opened with an enrollment of 3,159 students. On November 23, 1942, an Open House attracted over 5,000 people to visit the displays marking the achievements of North Catholic. By this time, over 1,200 alumni were serving in the armed forces.
While many high schools were forced to cancel their Spring Sports programs due to the large number of students working part-time in the War industries, North was able to field championship teams in baseball, track and crew.
On September 4, 1945, 1,186 freshmen reported to North, and the total enrollment was 3,503.
[edit] Post World War II
1946 found North filled beyond capacity. Enrollment was up to 4,050, and additional annexes were opened. By 1948, the student population had grown to over 4,300 students.
The Alumni Association undertook the task of designing and constructing a shrine to honor those alumni who gave their lives in World War II. On June 5, 1949, the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima was dedicated as a memorial to the 183 alumni who paid the supreme sacrifice.
By September 1951, the school enrollment had reached 4,205, a figure considered maximum for the school. However, in 1952, the roll swelled to 4,305.
September 1953 saw Northeast Catholic recognized as the world's largest Catholic high school for boys. The population of 4,726 from 98 parishes was served by 109 Oblates, 9 nuns, and 14 laymen.
The school year beginning September, 1954 marked the first decrease in enrollment in a decade.
September 1955 was remarkable in that for the first time in 16 years, freshmen attended classes in the Main Building. On June 8, 1956, 1,103 seniors graduated - the largest class ever.
The 1958 academic year showed an enrollment below 3,000 for the first time in 20 years. In September 1960, Rev. Edward Conlin replaced Fr. Tocik as Rector of Northeast Catholic. In September of 1962, Rev. Edward Corcoran, Class of 1932 replaced Fr. Conlin as Rector; the first time an alumnus headed the school.
The fall of 1963 marked the seventh consecutive Catholic League title for the soccer team, and they repeated in 1964.
The 1968 basketball season brought national recognition to Northeast Catholic. On the day of the Catholic League playoffs, Jack Friel, Hon. 1970, coach and disciplinarian, was forced to suspend the entire varsity team. The Junior Varsitys took the floor and defeated McDevitt.
The 1971 school year was marked by a national championship for the Model U.N. Debating team. For the fourth consecutive year, in 1973, North captured the Harvard Debating Championship. The team then went on to capture the National Championships in 1974, 75 & 76.
The 1977 school year opened with 2,384 students. 1978 marked the 50th Anniversary of the North-Frankford rivalry. A large crowd of 20,000 fans was present at Vet Stadium to see North win 21-14.
In more recent years North Catholic has added a new computer lab and Technology Center. It also has a Cartoonist Society and Journalism course to help prepare students for a variety of careers as they enter the new millenium.
[edit] School Prayer
"My God, I give you this class. Please give me the grace to conduct myself during it, in a manner most pleasing to you. God be blessed!
"Saint Francis DeSales- Pray For Us!"
[edit] Alma Mater Lyric
See our banner wave proudly before us, colors gleaming in hues ever glorious! Flag of honor, o'er foe victorious, led thou on to the triumph we gain........
(CHORUS) Onward, Onward! Behold where dawns the glory! Hail, alma mater, our North Catholic High! Sing with, joyful, heart and voice the story! Hail alma mater, our North Catholic High!
May the sunshine of youth never leave thee! And the shadow of age never grieve thee! Falcon symbol, we now salute thee! Sons who love, and revere, thy fair name.......
(CHORUS) Onward, Onward! Behold where dawns the glory! Hail, alma mater, our North Catholic High! Sing with, joyful, heart and voice the story! Hail alma mater, our North Catholic High!
[edit] Trivia
- There are presently approximately 750 students enrolled at "North".
- As North Catholic is an all-boys school, they have a sister school, Little Flower High School, an all-girls school.
- North plays Frankford High School every year in the "Turkey Bowl" on Thanksgiving Day at 9:45 AM, making it the earliest high-school football game in the country on Thanksgiving.
- Since it opened in 1926 North Catholic has won more Phila. Catholic League Championships, in soccer (25), bowling (16), wrestling (12) & baseball (11), than any other Philadelphia Catholic High school. They also have 8 titles in football and swimming and 7 basketball titles.
- North's class of "1956" had 1,103 graduates; making it the largest all boys Catholic High School graduating Class ever in the world.
- In 1956 North won the PCL championship in Basketball, Baseball, Football & Soccer. They also won the City Title in 3 out of the 4 sports - with soccer being beat out.
- The North Catholic soccer team did not lose a single PCL contest in 110 straight games stretching from 1956 to 1967.
- Since 1991 The North Catholic Wrestling team has won 12 of the 16 team titles contested.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Jack Whitaker '49 - National Sports broadcaster
- Joe Verdeur '45 - Olympic gold medalist in swimming
- Bil Keane '44 - creator of The Family Circus comic
- Joe Maneely '44 - Marvel Comics superstar
- Tom "Mac" McLaughlin '46 - Reader's Digest gag cartoonist
- Jerry Jonas '49 - Bucks County Courier Times columnist and editorial cartoonist
- Jerry Buckley '50 - National Cartoonists Society award winner
- General William Kelly '53 - Operation Desert Storm
- Frank "Bucko" Kilroy '39 - All-Pro lineman for Philadelphia Eagles
- Frank Reagan '37 - Famous football player of the 40s and 50s
- Benny McLaughlin '45 - member of the US National Soccer Hall of Fame
- Eddie Blaney '69 (soccer) - member of Saint Joseph's University Sports Hall of Fame.
- Don D'Ambra '90 - player-coach and leading scorer in Philadelphia Kixx soccer history.
