St. Francis DeSales High School (Columbus, Ohio)

St. Francis DeSales High School
Address
4212 Karl Road Columbus , Franklin , Ohio 43224 United States
Coordinates	40°3′11″N 82°58′29″W
Information
Type	Private, Coeducational
Motto	Faith. Family. Tradition.
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Founder	Monsignor James M. Berendt
Oversight	Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Administrator	Robert Dvorak
Principal	Dan Garrick[1]
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	875+ (2018)
Student to teacher ratio	17:1
Color(s)	Purple and White[1]
Slogan	Empowering Students for Life
Athletics conference	Central Catholic League[1]
Team name	Stallions[1]
Rivals	•Bishop Watterson Eagles •Bishop Hartley Hawks •St.Charles Cardinals
Publication	The Mighty Pen
Newspaper	The Quill
Website	http://www.sfdstallions.org

St. Francis DeSales High School is located in Columbus, Ohio, United States and is part of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. The school has an enrollment of over 875 students, in four grade levels.

Location

St. Francis DeSales High School is located on the north side of Columbus, Ohio. Students come from the Columbus Public School District and suburban school districts: Big Walnut, Delaware, Gahanna Jefferson, Lewis Center, New Albany-Plain Local, Olentangy, Westerville and Worthington.

History

St. Francis DeSales High School was originally founded in 1960, using borrowed classrooms from both St. Augustine and St. James the Less schools. During September 1962, the school earned a permanent home. It had ten sisters from St. Francis of Stella in Niagara, New York, four priests, and eight lay people. It opened with a registered student number of 523.^[2]

Awards

St. Francis DeSales High School is the recipient of two Blue Ribbon Awards of Excellence in Education.

Extracurriculars

Over 90% of the students are involved in the arts, athletics, student government, or one of the many clubs and organizations offered on campus. The school offers Latin Club, Italian Club, French Club, Spanish Club, Chinese Club, Business Club, Engineering Club, St. Vincent DePaul, a National Honors Society chapter, Drama Club, Art Club, Student Council, Model UN Club, Mock Trial, Environmental Club, Corral for the Kids (benefits pediatric cancer patients), Run the Race Club (benefits Brian Muha Foundation), Ronald McDonald Baking Club, Rosary Making Club, Equus Literary Magazine, Math Club, Chemistry Club, Horizons (Liturgical Choir), Band, Flag Corps, Writing Club, Wrestling Stats, In-the-Know, History Club, Ski Club, Yoga Club, Student Ambassadors, Stallions for Health & Wellness, and Fishing Club.

Since 2021, catechesis at the school has been facilitated by Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco.^[3]

Athletics

Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championships

Further information: Ohio High School Athletic Association

• Football - 1985, 1997, 1998
• Wrestling - 1971, 1974, 1977 ^[4]
• Boys Basketball – 1987 ^[5]
• Baseball - 1979, 2011, 2012 ^[6]
• Boys Soccer - 1986, 1992, 1997, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 ^[7]
• Girls Soccer - 1995, 1997, 1998, 2011 ^[7]
• Girls Volleyball - 1982, 2019 ^[7]
• Boys Volleyball - 2023
• Boys Gymnastics - 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993^[7]
• Boys Lacrosse - 2012, 2018, 2022, 2024^[7]
• Girls Lacrosse - 2016, 2019, 2024^[7]

Notable alumni/staff

• Ikechi Ariguzo, former NFL player
• Brian Asamoah, NFL Player
• Gary Berry, former NFL player
• Tim Bezbatchenko, President of Columbus Crew
• Antonio Daniels, former NBA player
• Matt D'Orazio, former AFL player
• Luke Fickell, head football coach at University of Wisconsin, former co-defensive coordinator for Ohio State
• Paul Haynes, Defensive backs coach at Michigan State Spartans football
• John Holgado, bass guitarist for post-hardcore band Attack Attack!
• Patrick Omameh, professional football player
• Matt Stewart, former NFL player
• Blaine Wilson, Olympic silver medalist in gymnastics
• Chris Stoll, NFL Player

References

1. OHSAA. "Ohio High School Athletic Association member directory". Archived from the original on November 5, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2010.
2. "Saint Francis DeSales".
3. Puet, Tim (August 18, 2022). "More priests, sisters from orders come to diocese". The Catholic Times of Columbus. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
4. Yappi. "Yappi Sports Wrestling". Retrieved February 12, 2007.
5. Yappi. "Yappi Sports Basketball AA". Retrieved February 12, 2007.
6. Yappi. "Yappi Sports Baseball". Retrieved February 12, 2007.
7. OHSAA. "Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site". Retrieved December 31, 2006.