On August 30th, over 4000 eager spectators flocked to Covington Catholic’s Griffin Stadium in Park Hills, KY to witness a spectacle just as momentous as the anniversary it was meant to celebrate. Eyes were on the skies before the Covington Catholic Colonels and the Highlands Bluebirds faced off as three skydivers jetted down to the field with the game ball, the American flag, and the CovCath flag in tow.
Covington Catholic High School has come a long way since it first opened its doors in 1925. What began with 17 students in a single classroom on the first floor of Mother of God School in Covington has grown into a 33-acre campus that serves over 500 students. The school now boasts 42 classrooms, state-of-the-art STEM labs, a CAD facility, art rooms, an auditorium, and athletic facilities that include a stadium with room for thousands, turfed baseball field, a 45-yard indoor field, and a full workout facility. Despite this growth, Covington Catholic has remained true to the values on which it was founded 100 years ago. Throughout this centennial year, Covington Catholic will continue to celebrate with more events including an alumni art show and sporting reunions.
“This year marks our 100th anniversary, and we’re excited to celebrate with our students, families, alumni, and supporters as we reflect on the values and goals CovCath has always strived to achieve,” said Principal Bob Rowe. Over the summer, Mr. Rowe represented the school as the Grand Marshal of the Park Hills Memorial Day Parade along with students and alumni and marched in the Edgewood 4th of July Parade. Yards across the community and country are staked with signs indicating the home of a proud alum.
Looking back to 1925, Bishop Howard saw a need to create a school that would educate young men spiritually, academically, physically, and socially. “The Marianist Brothers founded Covington Catholic with a mission to educate young men grounded in Christian values. Today, those same values are not just a part of our history, but they continue to guide and shape the hearts of our students. The spirit of faith, service, and community is as strong now as it was then,” said Fr. Hennigen, the Covington Catholic chaplain.
After decades of growth, the school moved to its current location in Park Hills in 1955. The campus, built at a cost of $850,000 (approximately $10 million today), was made possible by the support of local parishes and donors. Over the years, Covington Catholic has continued to evolve, with the construction of the current school in 2003 and major additions of the Student and Alumni Center and the STEM and Fine Arts wing in 2018 ensuring that students have access to modern facilities and technology.
At the heart of Covington Catholic is its passionate and experienced faculty, a blend of veteran educators and newer teachers who bring fresh ideas to the classroom. Teachers like Mr. Haders, Mr. Hertsenberg, and Mrs. Ruth have served for a combined 121 years, bringing a wealth of experience and tradition, while younger teachers with more recent diplomas inject new energy and techniques into the curriculum. The dedication to student development extends beyond the teachers though, with the addition of academic Coaches to the faculty, thanks to Anthony Zechella’s (Dean of Academics) recent push to provide educational assistance to all students.
Perhaps, though, what makes Covington Catholic truly unique is its all-boys environment. While two females graduated in 1971 from Covington Catholic, the school remains committed to its single-gender model. This setting allows students to learn in a hands-on, active way, free from gender biases and social pressures. The result is a close-knit camaraderie that transcends generations, known as the “CCH Brotherhood.” This bond is strengthened through shared experiences, often occurring in one of the 30+ clubs, with additional clubs being added every year (for example, CovCath’s 100th year welcomed the arrival of many brand-new clubs such as Music Appreciation Club, Srodowisko Club, and Mountain Biking Club). On the other hand, many historic, older clubs are still being offered long after their establishment. The Intramural Basketball League is an excellent example of this commitment to tradition as it has been thriving since the 1960s. While the brotherhood bond is cultivated during a student’s four years in school, it extends beyond graduation, with alumni offering support in everything from careers to personal matters.
The school’s historic and iconic motto, “With A Spirit That Will Not Die”, is, and always has been, very fitting throughout the school’s impressive 100th year. As Covington Catholic celebrates its centennial, the school continues to look ahead for new ways to improve and educate young men spiritually, academically, physically, and socially.
For those families with 6th, 7th, or 8th grade boys interested in learning more about Covington Catholic’s legacy and its future, the school is hosting an Open House on November 10th from 12:30-3:00 PM. Learn more and register at www.covcath.org/future-colonels
Written by Covington Catholic student Dillon Cain and Julane Becker director of marketing
