Tempe High School (Tempe, Arizona)

Tempe High School is located in Tempe, Arizona, approximately one mile south of Arizona State University. Tempe Union High School was established by a vote of the people of Tempe in 1907. Classes were held in rented space in downtown Tempe for the 1908-09 school year, as the school's permanent location was built. The first building opened in the fall of 1909 on the southeast corner of Mill and University (today as the Tempe Towne Center). The school has recently been the beneficiary of a $25 million renovation project for the Fine Arts Complex, a State-of-the-art fitness center, outdoor amphitheater and courtyards.

Tempe High's enrollment generally fluctuates between 1,300 and 1,400 students. THS offers a wide variety of curriculum, including an honors Curriculum, the International Baccalaureate program, and H.O.P.E. which allows students to explore and train for medical professions by partnership with Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital.

Centennial

During the 2007-08 school year, Tempe High will celebrate it's 100th anniversary, beginning with a Centennial Homecoming Celebration. To celebrate this momentous occasion, a Centennial Committee has formed under the wing of the Tempe High Buffalo Foundation. The Buffalo Foundation is the prime alumni organization for Tempe High School. This organization will help preserve the proud traditions and history of Tempe High and serve as an alumni resource for reunions and fundraising events.

Centennial events include: Athletic Hall of Fame dinner, Homecoming parade down Mill Avenue, Back to the Future celebration, and the Embassy Suites Blue and White Bash.

Athletics

The Buffaloes have won two state championship titles since Tempe varsity football began in 1924. The first came in 1956, when Tempe High went undefeated with a 10-0 record under coach John Zucco. Between 1954 and 1957, Coach Zucco led the Buffaloes to a 32-6-1 record that included an 18-game winning streak. The Buffaloes' second championship came in 1989, when they shared the 4A title with Agua Fria. In the final playoff game in Sun Devil Stadium, which was attended by more than 11,000 fans, the Buffaloes and the Owls fought to a 10-10 draw. The tie game capped a 13-1-1 season under second-year coach Jim Murphy.

Upon the opening of Tempe's second high school, McClintock High, an intense rivalry began between the two schools for many, many years. The THS vs. MHS football and basketball games had to be played at ASU facilities well into the late 1970's because the individual schools' stadiums and gymnasiums were not nearly large enough to house the large crowds.

Notable Alumni

• Dan Harkins - owner of Harkins Theatres
• Harry Mitchell - former Tempe Mayor, current Arizona Congressman
• Ira A. Fulton - well known Arizona land developer & philanthropist.
• Kemper Goodwin - architect of the current buildings at Tempe High School