Amphitheater High School
Amphitheater High School, also known as Amphi High, is a public high school, located in northwest Tucson, Arizona, United States. Amphi is the flagship high school of Amphitheater Public Schools of Tucson, and serves grades 9–12. The school mascot is the panther, and the school colors are kelly green and white. Amphi opened in 1939 as the second high school in Tucson, and has a student enrollment of 1,249. In the 1983-84 school year, it was honored as a Blue Ribbon school.[2]
| Amphitheater High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| |
125 West Yavapai Road , United States | |
| Coordinates | 32°16′10″N 110°58′29″W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public high school |
| Established | 1939 |
| School district | Amphitheater Public Schools |
| Principal | A.J. Malis |
| Campus Director | Connor McGregor |
| Teaching staff | 70.60 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 1,293 (2018–19)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 18.31[1] |
| Campus | Urban, 50.74 acres (205,337 m²) |
| Color(s) | Kelly green, white, black |
| Mascot | Panthers |
| Nickname | Amphi |
| Website | http://www.amphi.com/Domain/8 |
Its feeder schools are Amphi Middle and La Cima Middle.
Football
In addition to winning the state title in 1975 and then again in 1979, Amphi is notable for its football program. Vern Friedli, the former football coach, won more varsity games than any other football coach in Arizona history. At the conclusion of the 2009-10 season, Friedli captured his record-breaking 317th win. He retired after the 2011-12 season with 331 wins.
Amphi has a rich football history having been the Tucson areas most dominant football program from 1970 to the early 2000s. 5A South Division championships throughout that era include:
(1975) (1976) (1977) (1979) (1981) (1982) (1983) (1984) (1985) (1986) (1987) (1990) (1992) (1994) (1995) (1996) (1997) (1998) (2000) (2001)
Arizona 5A State Championships:
*(1975) *(1979)
Arizona 5A State Championship game appearances:
*(1975) *(1979) *(1990) *(1997)
Football Rivalries with:
Notable alumni
- Mario Bates (1991), American football running back in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, and the Detroit Lions
- Michael Bates (1989), 1992 Olympic bronze medal-winning sprinter and five-time Pro Bowl kick returner in the NFL
- Erubiel Durazo (1993), MLB baseball player; played for the Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2002) where he won the 2001 World Series, and the Oakland Athletics (2003–2005)
- Riki Ellison (formerly Riki Gray), football player, USC Trojans, SF 49ers, LA Raiders
- Glenn Ezell, former MLB pitching coach and minor league catcher and manager[3]
- George Gray (1985), TV announcer of The Price Is Right (2011–present)[4]
- Savannah Guthrie (1989), NBC news anchor and legal correspondent[5]
- Earl Hindman, actor, best known for role as Wilson on Home Improvement
- Alex Kellner, former MLB player (Philadelphia Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, Saint Louis Cardinals)
- Walt Kellner, former MLB player (Philadelphia Athletics)
- Sam Merriman (1979), NFL linebacker (Seattle Seahawks, 1983–87)
- James Penton (c. 1950), author on religious history, and university professor
References
- "Amphitheater High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- "Blue Ribbon Schools Program Schools Recognized 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002" (PDF). National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. United States Department of Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- Crawford, Bob (October 21, 1960). "Amphi, FW Battle Top Grid Rivals". Tucson Citizen. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- "George Gray". The Price is Right. FreeMantle Media. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- Scott, Eugene; Mittan, Kyle (20 July 2015). "Celebrities who attended Phoenix high schools". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 22 January 2021.