Springville High School (Utah)

Springville High School
Address
1205 E. 900 S., Springville, Utah 84663
United States
Information
Type Public high school
Established 1902
School district Nebo School District
Principal Everett Kelepolo
Grades 10–12
Enrollment 1,450
Campus Suburban
Color(s) Red and blue          
Mascot Red Devils
Nickname SHS
Rival Maple Mountain High School
Affiliation Nebo School District
Superintendent Rick Neilson
Motto Dedicated to Excellence – United in Service – Educated for Success
Website Springville High School

Springville High School is the one of two high schools that serves and is located in Springville, Utah, United States.

Mascot

Springville High School's mascot is the mighty Red Devil. The origin of the mascot name dates back to the original construction of the school, when the Red Devil Cement Company assisted significantly in the building. This became a focal point for controversy several times over the years, most recently in 2002. The opposing arguments vary slightly each time, but have the same basis. The most recent opposition occurred when some local citizens organized a committee called "Parents for Mascot Review".[1] They argued that the Devil was an unsavory mascot for teens and interpreted school literature bearing the character "pro devil" paraphernalia. Some claimed that good Latter-day Saints should not support the mascot for its Satanic allusion. Other Latter-day Saints disagreed, saying that the church had no official stance on the matter, that the mascot was not satanic, but rather a mythical creature, and that the groups were promoting their own agenda.

Alumni of the school countered that the mascot was not Satanic, and had been the official mascot since 1967 when students voted it in. Further they claimed it was historically significant. The name and image came from the Red Devil Cement Co., a historically important employer in Springville. An actual cement bag with the Red Devil Cement logo on it can be found in one of the display cases in the high school.

Controversy about the Devil drew national attention when a spokesman for the Navajo Nation commented against it, claiming that "red devil" is a slur against Native Americans and should be removed from the school.

Nonetheless, traditionalists carried popular support in a non-binding poll, and the school board voted to retain the mascot in May 2002. In spite of promises by critics to seek school board offices on the issue, the Red Devil remains the school's mascot as of 2017.

Athletics

Former principal, Rick Robins hired former Head Football Coach Scott Mitchell as Head Football Coach in 2008. The hire came about after the firing of one-season coach Dan Hansen. With Hansen in 2007, the Red Devils posted two wins and eight losses. Scott Mitchell, a former SHS quarterback who led the Red Devils to their only state title in the 1980s, was also a former quarterback for the University of Utah and a 12-year quarterback in the National Football League. While this was seen by some as just a high-profile, visual hire, the community was hopeful that Mitchell would do something positive for the SHS football program and its students. In four years as coach, Mitchell lead the Red Devils to four showings in the Utah state playoffs, with the Red Devils taking second place in 2009 and third place in 2010.

The Red Devils have also enjoyed great success in athletics in recent years. The Red Devil swim team has continued its dominance by winning back-to-back boys' 4A state championships in 2008 and 2009 under coach Amyee Hargett, followed by back-to-back boys' 4A State runner-up in 2010 and 2011 - They also finished 2nd in 2013. The championships of 2008 and 2009 mark the first time a boys' team of any sport at SHS has won back-to-back titles. The Red Devils have also posted region championships in girls tennis, girls cross country, girls' soccer, boys' golf, volleyball, boys' swimming, boys cross country, football and girls' basketball. In a surprise upset, the boys' basketball team recently won the 2017 4A basketball championship for the first time since 1958.

In 2017, the boys track team won the 4A state title. Hayden Penrod, a three-time 800 meter state champion, ran one of the fastest times in the nation at 1:50, breaking his previous school record, and dominantly winning the state title. He also broke the 4A 1600 meter state record, becoming the state champion in a highly contested race which came down to a blistering finishing kick in the final 50 meters, resulting in a 4:11 time. Earlier in the season he broke the school record clocking 4:10. Penrod went on to place 10th in the mile at the premiere Addidas Boost Boston Games and 7th in the 800 at Brooks PR Invitational. In 2018, the boys track team won the 5a state championship. Winning state back-to-back.

After a disappointing 3rd place state finish in 2016, the boys cross country team regrouped and finished a surprising 15th place in the nation at the prestigious Nike NXN national competition. The team continued its success the following year (2017) winning the 5A state title in a historical finish, with runners placing 2,3,4,7, and 25. This is only the second time in state history that a team has had such a low score. This was the first time Springville Cross Country boys won at state. Grant Gardner, the state runner-up, ran a sub 15 minute 3-mile on one of most grueling state courses in the nation at high altitude. Only a small group of elite runners have broken that threshold in Utah. Springville maintained a top 10 national ranking throughout the season, and just prior to NXN nationals, was ranked third. The team eventually placed 5th at nationals, with Brandon Garnica receiving all-American honors, having placed 20th.

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=91676&page=1 Utah Town Sees No Evil in Devil Mascot

Coordinates: 40°09′18″N 111°35′17″W / 40.15500°N 111.58806°W / 40.15500; -111.58806

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