Fall 2010 - Central Catholic High School :: K-Space Web Page

18 Feature Story | Fall 2010CCHS Glee Club 1992“the musical” and that year’s show wasBrigadoon. After that, Broadway musicalsbecame the norm each spring at CCHS.The first operetta took place in the CentralCatholic auditorium, and over the years themusicals have been presented in variouslocations, such as the Toledo Sports Arena,the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle, theFranciscan Life Center at Lourdes College,the Masonic Auditorium/Stranahan Theater,and most recently the Valentine Theatre.Although the locations and performanceshave varied over the years, the intent hasremained the same. Each spring, actorsand audiences travel to a magical placewhere life’s occurrences and problems areaddressed through song, dance, laughter,and tears.The 1930 Central Catholic yearbook hadthis to say about the school’s first musical:“During the month of May, the dramaticclub entered a new field of work andcombined with the orchestra to produceits first musical comedy. The play selectedwas Peggy From Paris…On the eveningsof May 16 and 17, the production waspresented in Central’s auditorium, withMary Hutchinson and William Flynn inthe leading roles. With their first musicalcomedy such a success, it is to be hoped thatmembers of the dramatic club will continueto produce this type of play in the future.”Little did the writer know that 80 years laterthe annual Central Catholic spring musicalwould still be going strong!Future NotesThe Central Catholic music departmentcontinues its tradition of entertainingthe community and emphasizing theimportance of the performing arts ineducation. Our students have becomea part of history over the years withtheir unbelievable talent and dedicatedperformances.Central Catholic has honored many of ourmusic department alumni and supporterswith induction into the Music Hall of Fame.The next class of inductees will take theirhonored places at the ceremony scheduledfor October 9. And look for our 82 ndmusical production in the spring!Thanks for the MemoriesIn the spring of 2004 when Central Catholicwas presenting its 75 th spring musical, PeterPan, the Scarlet & Gray profiled some ofthe people who have made up the musicallegacy of CCHS. To view some excerptsfrom that story, please visit the CentralCatholic web site at www.centralcatholic.org under the heading Alumni & Friends >Scarlet & Gray.Fighting IrishAthletics – Historyin the MakingFighting Irish athletes have been battling itout on the fields and courts for as long asthey have been cracking the books. Playingfor Irish pride and rooting for our teamsis a huge part of the spirit and tradition ofCentral Catholic High School.The following is a chronicle of some specialmoments in the history of the Fighting Irishathletic tradition. With the Luck of the Irishon our side, there will undoubtedly be manymore highlights to come!The 1920s“We have all noticed in the games so farplayed the clean tactics used by the Centralteam. The team plays hard, fast football,but not dirty. Only once or twice have anyCentral men lost their heads and taken aswipe at an opponent.The clean methods of playing are the onlyones and they win in the end. While a playermay be thinking of something by which heintends ‘to get the guy’ who got him, the playwill have started and the opposing team willhave either made a good game or have scored.So men, let us keep our good record – Centralclean in every sport.”-From The Owl (CCHS school newspaper),October 8, 1920“The first regular meeting of the CentralCatholic Athletic Association was held onFebruary 9…The association will now takean active part in the promotion of all thingsathletic.”-From The Owl, February 18, 1921Girls’ basketball at Central Catholic beganin 1921. The seasons were short becausethere were few opponents, but the Irishladies were quite successful. The earliestcoach was Mrs. Bertha Brickett, who wasalso the supervisor of girls’ athletics.A new high school baseball league wasformed in February 1923 and consistedof the five Toledo high schools – CentralCatholic, St. John’s, Waite, Scott, andWoodward.Athletes were given permission to wearthe varsity “C” to honor their representationof the school. Requirements for obtainingthis honor were remaining in goodscholastic standing according to the OhioHigh School Athletic Association, and theattitude of the player, including followingtraining rules, discipline, and regularattendance at practice.Track was added as a sport in 1924.CCHS won the baseball citychampionship in 1924 with a 4-2 victoryover Libbey High School.“To the Editor: Who is to be cheer-leaderthis year? At Central, a boy has always beenhonored with this position. Why not make achange and have a girl fill the vacancy? Or itwould be real attractive to have both, a boyand a girl, as one person can hardly handlethe crowd. Having each attired in an outfitmade of the school colors would make a hit,I’m sure.-FanAnswer:This is a function for which a boy is naturallymore fitted. Let’s hear from candidates.”-From The Centric (school newspaper),September 25, 1924In 1925, the six city high schools – CentralCatholic, Woodward, Scott, St. John’s,Libbey, and Waite – took part in the firsthigh school basketball tournament ever heldin Toledo. The winner was to be recognizedas the city champion and would go onto the district tournament a week later.Unfortunately, Central Catholic lost to St.John’s in the first round.The CCHS athletic teams had difficultyfinding practice space since their buildingdid not have a gymnasium, and theirproperty did not have a field. The teamstraveled to all parts of Toledo to findpractice space. The curriculum could notinclude physical education without anadequate place to hold it.Instead of attending the usual chapelassembly on the day of a football game, theteam was honored at a pep rally for the firsttime in October 1925. The football teamlined up on stage and students were led incheers.“Central, at least, is over its borrowing days,having acquired the site for the new CentralCatholic High School, and on April 10 Centralwww.centralcatholic.org