Waco High School

History

The first home of Waco High School, or Central High as it was then called, was on the lot at Fourth and Webster streets in the early 1880s. There were two buildings, and one had formerly been the Episcopal church with the bell still in the tower. This was the only public school building west of the Brazos.

In 1886–1887, these were replaced by a brick building, and in 1911, at Thanksgiving time, the new building on Columbus Avenue was ready for occupancy. Since then wings have been added to it and a building constructed as an auditorium and gymnasium. The old Baker residence, across the street, was purchased in 1942 for the use of bands and orchestras.

In the 1970s, it moved to a new location on the corner of North 19th and College Drive, which is now the campus of McLennan Community College.

In 1986, Waco High was consolidated with Jefferson-Moore High School and Richfield High School. The new school at the former Richfield campus on North 42nd Street used the Waco High name, but incorporated aspects of the other two schools into its identity. The lion mascot was adopted from Jefferson-Moore and the school colors (scarlet, white, and gray) were taken from Richfield.

With the merger, Waco High was classified as a UIL Class 5A school. It moved down to the second-highest classification, Class 4A, in 2006. (Class 4A was then renamed Class 5A beginning in the fall of 2014.)

Athletics

The Waco Lions compete in these sports -

Volleyball, Cross Country, Football, Basketball, Powerlifting, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, Track, Softball & Baseball

State Titles

Football -

1922(All), 1925(1A), 1926(1A), 1927(1A), 1945(2A)^, 1948(2A)

^Co-champions with Highland Park High School

Boys Basketball -

1955(4A)

Football -

1923(All), 1924(All), 1939(2A), 2006(4A/D2)

The Waco High Tigers saw much success under head coach Paul Tyson, hired in 1913, who was one of the best known and most successful high school football coaches in America. His teams at Waco High played in seven state championship games, including six consecutive appearances from 1922 to 1927. The Tigers won state titles in 1922, 1925, 1926, and 1927, with runner-up finishes in 1923, 1924, and 1939.

In 1927, Waco High had one of the most dominant seasons in Texas high school football history. The Tigers scored an average of 56 points per game (a record that would stand until 1975, when Big Sandy scored 824 points in 14 games) while giving up only 2.4 points per game to its opponents. On two occasions Waco High scored more than 100 points, once in a playoff game versus Houston Davis. Roy Needham, Davis' coach, said "Waco could have beaten a good college team" that day.

During that same 1927 season, Waco High was recognized as the mythical national high school champion after defeating Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School of Chardon, Ohio in a postseason game, 44–12.

In the spring of 1942, the Waco school board suddenly and unanimously voted to fire Tyson after an 8–2 season, two years removed from a year he took the Tigers to the state finals. Tyson, a lifelong bachelor who never dated, was rumored to be "too intimate" with his players.

Waco High won two more state titles after Tyson. In 1945, they shared the championship with Highland Park after the title game ended in a 7–7 tie, and won outright in 1948, when the Tigers beat Amarillo, 21–0.

Facilities

Waco ISD Stadium was built in 2000 and replaced the historic 10,000-seat Paul Tyson Stadium located behind Waco High School on Lake Air Drive. (Tyson Stadium is still in use for some football games and track events.) The new stadium is located at the corner of New Road and Bagby Avenue in Waco, approximately half a mile from I-35. The first game played at the stadium was Waco High vs. University High on September 8, 2000. Waco High won the game, 22–0, in front of a crowd estimated at 14,000.

Theater

State Titles

One Act Play -

1941(All), 1942(All)

Dallas Summer Musical High School Musical Theater Awards

Awards

2015:Tarzan Best Scenic Design, Tarzan Best Costume Design

Nominations

2013: Into the Woods Best Lighting Design

2017: Xanadu Best Costume Design

Notable alumni

Bruce Alford Sr., former NFL player

Joe Barton, United States Congressman

Kevin Belcher, professional baseball player

Cloyce Box, former NFL player

Benny Boynton, former NFL player

T. Berry Brazelton, pediatrician, author and developer of Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

Paul Dickson, former NFL player

Claudius Miller Easley, United States Army Brigadier General

Lin Elliot, former NFL player

Hi-Five, R&B group

Leon Jaworski, Watergate special prosecutor

Derrick Johnson, former Texas football linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs legend

Dutch Meyer, professional baseball player

Beasley Reece, former NFL player and broadcast commentator

Ann Richards, Governor of Texas

Martin Ruby, former NFL player

George Sauer, Jr., former NFL player for the New York Jets

Hank Thompson, honky-tonk musician and member of the Country Music and Nashville Songwriter halls of fame