Rootstown High School

Infobox School
name = Rootstown High School


imagesize = 200px
caption = Rootstown Rovers
motto = Enthusiasm, Pride, Commitment
established = 1884cite web |url= http://www.rootstown.sparcc.org/History/HistoryPDF/HSdedication.pdf|title= Dedication Program for our new Rootstown High School|accessdate=2008-08-08 |work= RLSD History|format= PDF|publisher= Rootstown Local Schools|date= 1966-10-23]
type = Public
affiliation =
district = Rootstown Local School District
grades = 9-12
principal = Michael Ferguson
dean = Douglas Mori
faculty =
staff = 40cite web |url= https://webapp2.ode.state.oh.us/oeds-r/maintainorg/default.asp|title= General Information - Rootstown/Ward Davis Bldg High School |accessdate=2008-08-08 |work= Ohio Department of Education online directory|publisher= Ohio Department of Education|date= 2007-08-08]
enrollment = 450
conference = Portage Trail Conference (County Division)
colors = Navy Blue, White
mascot = Rover
campus type = Rural
campus size =
free_label =
free_text =
free_label2 =
free_text2 =
free_label3 =
free_text3 =
location = 4190 State Route 44
Rootstown, Ohio 44272
country = flagicon|USA USA
information =
website = [http://sparcc.rootstown.com/engine?p=671&c=16 Rootstown High School]

Rootstown High School is a public high school in Rootstown, Ohio, USA. It is the only high school in the Rootstown Local School District. Their nickname is the Rovers.

Background

The current school building is located on the north end of the Roostown Schools' campus and opened in 1966. It is named in honor of Ward W. Davis and serves around 450 students in grades 9-12. Rootstown High School offers a variety of academic and vocation programs to its students. Many of the vocational programs are available through the school's association with the Maplewood Joint Vocational School in Ravenna. Adjacent to the high school are several athletic fields, including: Rover Stadium (which opened in 1961 and includes a running track), a baseball field, and a softball field. The gymnasium at Rootstown High School is locally known as the "Rover Dome" and has been host to several local, conference, and state tournament basketball games and wrestling meets throughout the years.

Athletics

Rootstown High School athletic teams are known as the "Rovers" and the school colors are blue and white. All Rover athletic teams play their matches at Rootstown High School with a few exceptions: the bowling teams play their home matches at Twin Star Lanes while the golf team plays their home matches at the Kent State University Golf Course, both along SR 59 in Franklin Township, just east of Kent. Additionally, the cross country teams have their home meets at Towner's Woods, also in Franklin Township. Rootstown is a member of the Portage Trail Conference County Division, which it has been a member of since 2005. Prior to 2005, Rootstown was a member of the Portage County League. Rootstown fields the following varsity teams:

*Baseball
*Boys Basketball
*Girls Basketball
*Boys Bowling
*Girls Bowling
*Boys Cross Country
*Girls Cross Country
*Football
*Golf
*Boys Soccer
*Girls Soccer
*Softball
*Boys Track and Field
*Girls Track and Field
*Girls Volleyball
*Wrestling

Rootstown has had three state track champion individuals: Roger Dietz Sr. won the low and high hurdles in 1957; Ron Nipuelio won the 400-meters in 1990; and Josh Morgan won the 3200-meters in 1996.

Two Rover sports teams have been state semifinalists: the 1981 football team and the 2003 softball team.

Fight Song and Alma Mater

Fight Song::"Here we are from Rootstown High School" :"The best in all the land" :"See our colors blue and white":"All for which we stand" :"When the schools all get together" :"See our colors fly" :"There's no school that's any better" :"Than good old Rootstown High"

Alma Mater::"Hail, all hail, to Rootstown High School" :"Hold her banner high" :"Our hearts beat with proud devotion" :"Hail to Rootstown High":"Bravely flow her colors o'er us" :"Purest white and blue" :"Proudly stand her sons and daughters" :"Loyal, firm, and true"

Legend of the Rover

The first interpretation of the word Rover at Rootstown was the dog; a collie or German shepherd. In 1960 a new version of the mascot was adopted: the Rover that is defined as "a pirate, a wanderer, or a roamer" in Webster's Dictionary, The Rovers logo is a ship that is meant to symbolize the Norsemen.

This new version of the nickname came into existence in the early years of RHS sports. The Rovers did not have a facility in which to engage in competitive sporting activities, thus they would "wander and roam" to other schools for sports, pirating victories.

Victory Bell

In the high school lobby, there is a large brass bell mounted on a rolling platform. In the 1950s it was on a steam locomotive on the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, and it was donated to Portage County and used as a football championship trophy. From 1957 to 1962, Rootstown won the bell for six straight years, and it was permanently awarded to them. The bell still makes appearances at home football games, and is rung after a home victory.

Notable Alumni

*Mary Ann Conley (Class of 1941), graduated from Kent State University at age 18, the youngest KSU graduate ever.
*Bob Dunn (Class of 1946), former Rootstown football coach who led the Rovers to six PCL championships in seven years. Also former superintendent at Rootstown, Waterloo, Green, and Stow schools.
*Brian McClure (Class of 1982), Rover quarterback during their 1981 state-semifinalist season. Went on to set numerous college football passing records at Bowling Green State University and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.

External links

* [http://www.rootstown.sparrc.org District Website]

Notes and references