Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School
| District | Mechanicsburg Area S.D. |
| Location | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania,
Upper Allen Township, Pennsylvania,
|
| School Type | Public |
| Enrollment as of 2006-07 | 1200 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Surroundings | Suburban |
| Mascot | Wildcat |
| School Colors | Maroon/Steel |
| Alma Mater | "Mechanicsburg High" |
Mechanicsburg Area Senior High is a secondary school located on 500 South Broad Street in the borough of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Communities
Mechanicsburg Area Senior High (MASH), which accepts Students ranging from Grade 9-12, serves several communities, including the Boroughs of Mechanicsburg, Shiremanstown, and Upper Allen Township.
The students begin at the Kindergarten Academy then proceed to one of the elementary schools: Elmwood, Upper Allen/Shepherdstown, Northside, or Broad Street (All 1-5). They then progress to Mechanicsburg Middle School (6-8), and then Mechanicsburg High School (9-12).
School information and history
The school dates back to the late 1800s, and a photo dated 1898 shows a graduating class of 34. This was at Simpson Street school, which is now the "Schoolhouse Apartments". Once the school expanded past capacity, a new high school was built on Elmwood Avenue (That school has since been the Intermediate School and now Elmwood Elementary). In the 1970s, the present school was built on 500 South Broad Street.
The alma mater, an original piece, is as follows:
"Mechanicsburg High School"
Mechanicsburg High School,
You're the dearest school to me.
Mechanicsburg High School,
True to you we'll always be.
Fairest colors, maroon and steel,
Faith in you we'll always feel.
Dearest school beneath the sky,
Mechanicsburg High!
Extracurricular activities
Music Program
Marching Band
The Mechanicsburg Marching band came into the fall 2005 season having won 2nd place in the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championship the past two years and not having tasted gold since 2000. However, they would finally claim their prize on the night of November 12, 2005 at Lackawanna County Stadium in Moosic, PA. The band won first place in Group III with a whopping score of 98.80, the highest score ever in TOB history (tying Mechanicsburg's 98.80 Group IV output in 1994). The field show was called "A Suite For Winter", and won the caption awards for high music, visual, and brass.
The MASH Marching Band successfully defended its title one year later to the day on the wet night of Novermber 12, 2006 when they again won the TOB Group III Atlantic Coast Championships. Their show, entitled "Flight", was a success, earning a score of 98.05 despite being performed in the down-pouring rain at Lackawanna County Stadium. In addition to the first place finish, they were awarded the trophies for high music, visual, percussion, and auxiliary.
This performance would be one of the last ever put on at Lackawanna County Stadium, as the complex and baseball team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Red Barons, would be bought out by the New York Yankees as a new affiliate. The artificial turf was removed the day after ACCs ended and replaced with a natural grass surface, ending Lackawanna County Stadium's (now PNC Field) long 23-year history hosting the Atlantic Coast Championships.
On November 10, 2007 at 11:22 p.m., the Mechanicsburg Marching Band performed their 2007 show, "An Irish Heritage" and won their third title in a row at the TOB Group III Atlantic Coast Championships at the University of Delaware's Alumni Stadium in Dover, DE with a record-tying score of 98.80 (Set by themselves, twice). They were additionally awarded for high music, visual, auxiliary, and brass.
On the afternoon of November 16, 2008 at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, PA, the MASH Marching Band performed their show "Above the Clouds" and won their fourth straight Group III TOB ACC title with a score of 97.35. The class of 2009 subsequently became the first Mechanicsburg graduates to ever win four straight championships. The band also took home awards for high music, visual, brass and percussion. This was the band's final year under director Dane Hildebrand. Hildebrand finished his 10th year as Mechanicsburg's director on high note, winning for the sixth time.
The Mechanicsburg band won its fifth consecutive Group III TOB Atlantic Coast Championship at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, PA on November 1, 2009. The Sunday night performance of their field show "Earth" earned them a score of 96.85 along with high music, visual, percussion, and auxiliary. It was their 11th ACC victory in school history, having already won Group IV in 1992, '94, '95, and '96, and Group III in '99, 2000, '05, '06, '07, and '08. They continue to hold the Group III high-score record (98.80 in 2005 and 2007) and the Group IV record (98.80 in 1994). These three 98.80s also stand as the overall highest scores received in the history of Tournament Of Bands. It was the first season with new band director Michael Drobish, who had recently taught music at Bensalem high school, Mechanicsburg's fellow TOB competitors.
Indoor Percussion and Colorguard
Mechanicsburg is also noted for its indoor percussion ensemble, a competitor in the Winter Guard International and TIA Percussion circuit. In 2006, they won 1st at KIDA Championships, and in 2007, they were promoted to the World class in the WGI circuit. And in 2008, the Percussion Ensemble placed 3rd in the TIA Percussion circuit at Wildwoods, New Jersey.
2006 Mechanicsburg Scholastic A class guard went to Dayton, OH for WGI (Winter Guard International) championships, coming out eighth in the world. They were subsequently moved up to Scholastic Open class. The 2007 season ended with the Open guard as semi-finalists at WGI championships. In 2008, the Mechanicsburg Scholastic Open colorguard broke top 15 at world championships, making them a WGI finalist. In 2009, the 14 girls went to South Brunswick, New Jersey and won the WGI Power Regional with a score of 87.6. When the guard competed at world championships, they placed 4th with a 93.3, missing the bronze by three tenths of a point. In 2010, the guard will be in Scholastic World, making them the number one color guard in Pennsylvania.
Musical Theatre
MASH is well known in the mid-state area for its musical theatre department. Musicals they have done since 1990 include:
1990 - The Music Man
1991 - Bye Bye Birdie
1993 - Oliver!
1994 - A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum
1995 - Annie
1996 - Oklahoma!
1997 - How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
1998 - Anything Goes
1999 - The Wizard Of Oz
2000 - Guys and Dolls
2001 - Hello, Dolly!
2002 - The King And I
2003 - Pirates of Penzance
2004 - Annie Get Your Gun
2005 - Les Miserables
2006 - Seussical
2007 - 42nd Street
2008 - Thoroughly Modern Millie
2009 - Once Upon A Mattress
The 2010 "Wildcat Productions" musical will be The Music Man, celebrating the 20th anniversary since the show was last performed, in 1990.
Notable Alumni
Mechanicsburg has produced several prominent figures, including Bret Michaels, the lead singer of the metal band Poison. Also, Tara Finkboner a critically acclaimed acapello soloist and former president of The Young Adult Race Relations (Y.A.R.R.).
Athletics
Football
Football games are held on Friday nights. The football program is currently in the AAA rank of the PIAA Classification system, and they are members of the Mid-Penn Colonial Division and formerly Mid-Penn Division II, which they were champions of in 1982, 1983, 1986, 1996, 2001, and 2008. The football program has over 500 career wins, joining other Central Pennsylvania teams Carlisle and Steelton-Highspire in this exclusive club. In the 1980's, Mechanicsburg was known as one of the top programs in Central Pennsylvania, and arguably one of the top programs in Pennsylvania, however since a state playoff system did not exist, there is no way to tell who the top teams were. Many alumni of the program compete at major Division I universities, including Penn State, The University of Pennsylvania and The University of Connecticut. In 1986, under the guidance of late head coach Rich Lichtel, Mechanicsburg won their first PIAA District 3 AAAA Championship. They were also runners-up in 1983 and 2004. The Wildcats play at John H. Frederick Field at Memorial Park Stadium (located in the back of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park). A unique aspect of Frederick Field is that at least once every Friday night, a train ("The Victory Train") rolls through on the tracks just across the fence from the field. Every year, Mechanicsburg plays nearby rivals in Northern York in Week 3 (Known by some as the "Battle of Route 15" as both towns are easily accessible and adjacent on Route 15) and Carlisle in Week 1, but discontinued its series with cross-town rival Cumberland Valley High School after the 2001 season. In 2008, the Wildcats were 12-1, losing to Manheim Central in the District III semi-finals. The year saw the Wildcats win the Mid-Penn Colonial and tie a school record for wins.
On September 21, 2007 the Mechanicsburg Football family and the entire community suffered a great loss when 60 year Head Coach Rich Lichtel died. He died at 7:01 p.m., exactly one minute after his Wildcats kicked off against rival Middletown. Up to his passing, he had recorded 160 wins, including a District III Championship in 1986 and several second places in the District. Known as having an expertise in the quarterback position (himself being a record-setting quarterback at Bloomsburg University), 7 out of 15 of Lichtel's quarterbacks were given full scholarships to Division I colleges, and helped his players receive over $2 Million in scholarship grants. He was incredibly well-respected throughout the state of Pennsylvania and will be remembered for his sense of humor and love of practical jokes.
In 2008, an artificial turf surface was installed at John H. Frederick Field, along with a renovation of the concession stand facility. In 2009, a new locker room facility is to be built at the western end of the facility.
Significant athletic alumni and retired numbers
Chris Hakel (William & Mary, NFL 4th Round) - Current Head Football Coach at Mechanicsburg High School
Shawn Abner (Major League Baseball, Number 16 Retired)
Zach Frazer (University of Connecticut, holds PA state single season passing record)
Mike Edwards (third baseman) (Major League Baseball)
Scott Erney, (Rutgers University, Big 33 Football Classic Quarterback)
Doug Erney, (William and Mary, Big 33 Football Classic Quarterback)
Bud Kohlhaas, (Number 61 Retired)
Dan Lewis, (Number 41 Retired)
Ryan Priest, (Number 45 Retired); Lafayette College Hall of Fame[1]
Baseball
The baseball program has also been marked with great success. The program has existed since the 1920s, and the team has won multiple division titles, and advanced to the state tournament twice. The Baseball team is currently in the AAA classification in the PIAA, and competes in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division. The program has produced several players presently competing at Division I colleges and universities. In October 2005, the Wildcat baseball family lost 471 win coach Don Shirley to kidney cancer. The current coach is Clay McCallister. The Wildcats play at Shirley-Rickenbach Field at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park, named after the late Shirley and Bill Rickenbach, present head coach for the Mechanicsburg Cardinals Semi- Pro Twilight League team.
Notable athletic alumni and retired numbers:
Shawn Abner (#1 Pick in 1984 MLB Draft by the Mets, Number 16 Retired)
Ben Abner (Drafted in the 5th round of the 1984 MLB Draft)
Wes Roehr (All-American at Penn State University)
Mike Edwards (third baseman) (Number 7 Retired)
Don Shirley (Number 8 Retired)
Men's Basketball
The Basketball program is listed in the AAAA classification in the PIAA, and competes in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division with rivals Trinity and Red Land. The current head coach is Bob Strickler. The program is won the PIAA District 3 AAAA title in the 1994-1995 season, led by Senior Mike Edwards. The program qualified for states under the AAA classification in 2004, 2005, 2006 and again in 2008 under the AAAA classification. In the 2008 season, Mechanicsburg had 20 wins and lost in the second round of the PIAA AAAA Tournament.
Men's and Women's Soccer
The Men's Soccer program is listed in the AAA classification in the PIAA, and competes in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division. The current coach is Tony Lougee. The team plays their home games at Northside Elementary's "Cage" on the north side of town, which is one of the few soccer-only stadiums in the area with the capability to host night games. The program has won their division in 2006, and was PIAA District III Runners-up in 2005. They have advanced to the state tournament in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Mechanicsburg has also trained a two-time PARADE High School All-American in Bobby Gaylord Warshaw, a Jewish midfielder, a Stanford University player, and a member of Peter Geoghegan's honorable KA. [Please note Warshaw was granted admission only through KA's reverse discrimination. Prior to Warshaw, there were no Jews.]
Also, both the Men's and Women's Soccer teams have gained recognition for their performance in the classroom. In 2006, both teams were awarded the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Team Academic Award for exemplary performance in the classroom. A total of 332 soccer teams from throughout the USA have earned this award. To qualify, the team must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for the entire academic year. The team GPA is determined by adding every player's GPA, then dividing by the number of players. Mechanicsburg was one of 46 schools receiving the honor for both teams and one of the two schools in PA.
Men's and Women's Cross Country
The men's and women's Cross Country programs are listed in the AAA classification in the PIAA, and compete in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division. The current head coach of the cross country team is Lucas Mellinger, along with assistant coach Carole Cremo. The team runs meets at both Soldier and Sailor Memorial Park. In 2005, the men finished with a 19-3 record, repeated as the Big Spring Invitational champions, finished second at the Mid-Penn Cross Country Championships, won the Keystone Division title, and attained the highest team finish at the District III Championships in school history. Senior James Boyer qualified for the PIAA State Championships. In 2008, Senior Matt Nesmith and Junior Sarah Sulon both qualified for states for the second time. Freshman Alexa Gruschow also qualified.
Men's Track and Field
The Men's Track program is listed in the AAA classification in the PIAA, and compete in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division. The Men's Track and Field team currently has no head coach due to the retirement of Colonel Karl Robinson but current assistants include coach Andrew Bitz. The teams run meets at the High School track facility. On May 6th 2006, Seniors James Boyer, Josh Foulds, and Brandon Lane, as well as Freshman Zack Benner broke the school's 4 x Mile Record at the annual Cedar Cliff relays by 6 seconds with a time of 18:36. On May 9th 2009, the team of Matt Nesmith, Zack Benner, Garrett Murphy, and Matt Steele broke the school's 4x800 record by almost 3 seconds with a time of 8:02.08 at the Mid-Penn Invitational at Central Dauphin.
Women's Track and Field
The Women's Track program is listed in the AAA classification in the PIAA, and compete in the Mid-Penn Keystone Division. The Women's Track and Field team currently has no head coach due to the retirement of Colonel Karl Robinson but current assistants include coach Andrew Bitz. The teams run meets at the High School track facility. In 2009, Brittany George broke the school Javelin record and qualified for states in the event. Freshman High Jumper Kaila Baughman and Junior 800m runner Sarah Sulon also qualified for states.
Charity Fundrasiers
Mechanicsburg hosts Lift For Life, an annual weightlifting competition held in early March at the High School to raise money for kidney cancer. Don Shirley (below), the late baseball coach at MASH, died of kidney cancer and his son, Scott, thought of the competition and shared it with the fellow members of the Penn State football team. Both Mechanicsburg and the Penn State football program carry on the annual event. On March 1, 2008, Mechanicsburg's Lift For Life raised over $10,000 with teams from three high schools in the area.