Reitz Memorial High School


Reitz Memorial High School or simply Memorial High School is an inter-parochial Catholic high school on the east side of Evansville, Indiana, United States. It sits on land bought with money donated by Francis Joseph Reitz in 1922 in memory of his parents, John Augustus and Gertrude Reitz. The school officially opened its doors on January 5, 1925. It is part of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville|Diocese of Evansville].

History

In 1922 Francis Joseph Reitz pledged one million dollars for the school to be built, for which he was presented with the insignia of Knight and Knight Commander of the Order of Pius IX. The original, main building was built three stories high of Ohio gray brick and elaborate trimmings of Indiana limestone with a Tudor-Gothic design. On New Year's Day, 1925, Reitz Memorial High School, with its 18 classrooms, auditorium that was used as a gymnasium as well as a cafeteria, library, candy store, parlor, and a large recreation room, it was dedicated by Bishop Chartrand of Indianapolis. Classes began on January 5, 1925, with the Brothers of The Holy Cross from Notre Dame University teaching the boys and the Sisters of Providence teaching the girls, each on separate floors.
In 1969, a new addition was completed. The new wing extending along Bennighof Avenue came with expanded first and second floors, a new gym, band room, and library.
In 1998, a new addition, costing roughly $5 million was added to the western part of the building. The new wing, also known as "the west wing", added eight more classrooms, two art studios, two science labs, a wrestling room, a second, smaller auxiliary gymnasium, and a new media center. The final renovations increased the student capacity to 900 students.

Athletics

To distinguish between two schools named for members of the same family, the IHSAA uses the name Evansville Memorial instead of Evansville Reitz Memorial, and refers to the older EVSC run FJ Reitz High School as Evansville Reitz. Both schools compete in the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference. Their school colors are white and blue. The following IHSAA sanctioned sports are offered:
  • Baseball
  • *State champions - 1978, 1989, 1993
  • Basketball
  • *Girls' state champions - 2011
  • Cross country
  • Football
  • *State champions - 2017, 2019
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • *Boys' state champions - 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2024
  • *Girls' state champions - 1996, 2008, 2012, 2017, 2021, 2022
  • Softball
  • *State champions - 2002
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • *Girls' state champions - 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2012
  • Track
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
RMHS also competes in the National Archery in the Schools Program, placing 4th, 2nd, 2nd, and 2nd in the 2016-2019 Indiana NASP State Tournaments, as well as placing 1st in the 2018 Centershot Ministries World Tournament.

Notable alumni

Athletics