Type Public high school Principal Everett Kelepolo Enrollment 1,450 Phone +1 801-489-2870 Mascot Red Devils | Established 1902 Grades 10–12 Campus Suburban District Nebo School District Number of students 1,450 | |
Address 1205 E 900 S, Springville, UT 84663, USA Profiles | ||
Springville High School is the one of two high schools that serves and is located in Springville, Utah, United States.
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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". 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 80s, 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. 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' soccer, boys' golf, volleyball, boys' swimming, and girls' basketball.