Franklin High School (Livonia, Michigan)

Infobox Secondary school
name=Benjamin Franklin High School
established = September, 1961
city = Livonia
state = Michigan,
country = United States
campus = Suburban
type = Public High School
affiliation= Western Lakes Activities Association, Kensington Lakes Activities Association (beginning in 2008-09)
principal = Daniel R. Willenborg
enrollment = 1,814 (2006-07 school year)
grades = 9-12
district= Livonia Public Schools
accreditation = North Central Association
mascot = Patriot
colors=Red and Blue
newspaper=The Packet
yearbook=Almanack
website=http://www.livonia.k12.mi.us/schools/high/franklin:"This article is about the Franklin High School in Livonia, Michigan. For others of a similar name, see Franklin High School (disambiguation)"

Benjamin Franklin High School, also referred to as Franklin High School, Livonia Franklin and FHS, is a public high school located in Livonia, Michigan, United States. Established in September 1961, it is a part of the Livonia Public Schools district. During the first school year (1961-1962), a sophomore class attended classes at nearby Bentley High School. Classes were then taught at FHS when that building opened in September 1962. The school currently educates approximately 1,800 students from a portion of southern Livonia and northern Westland. The school mascot is the patriot and the school colors are red and blue.

Notable alumni

*Louise Gerrish (1966) MHSAA Track and Field Athlete of the Year; threw the javelin 49.94 meters at 1966 USA Championships
*Chris Baker: 1979 First Round draft pick of Detroit Tigers.
*Bernie Carbo: Former MLB outfielder.
*Mike Donnelly: Los Angeles Kings NHL.
*Dennis Fithian: WXYT-FM Radio Host.
*Mike Mika: Studio Head of videogame developer Backbone Entertainment.
*Mike Modano (did not graduate from Franklin High): NHL All-Star Dallas Stars [http://www.mikemodano.com/player.php?cat=2000&cid=2006 Modano FAQ at Website]
*Art Regner: Detroit Sports Radio Personality (WDFN).
*Amy Roloff: Mother of family featured in Little People, Big World (Class of 1980)
*Robert Skotak: Academy Award Winner in 1987, Best Visual.

Athletics

Franklin is a Class A athletic school and is part of the Western Lakes Activities Association in the Western Division, however for the 2008-09 season and beyond they will be in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association. Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Basketball team for an outstanding regular season with a record of 16-4, and City Champs. The Patriots also captured 3rd place in the conference and captured the first district title in 15 years.

Football

Livonia Franklin has had an undefeated regular season three times in school history, in 1964, 1974 and 2005. In 1975 they won the state championship under coach Armand Vigna and George Lovich, who both are assistants under Chris Kelbert.

Wrestling

In recent years, Dave Chiola (who is also an English teacher) has coached the Wrestling program and made them a state contender. In the last 4 to 5 years they have had many all-state, in 2005 Watkins and Karkoska, in 2006 Vancamp, in 2007 Billiau, Turco, and Roumayah, and in 2008 Woodall and Pieknik.

Hockey

Scott Wirgau replaced Terry Jobbitt, who retired at the end of the 2006-07 season, following 25 years of coaching at Franklin.

Cheerleading

First won their City title in 2005. Won the division title in 2007. Placed 5th in their region in 2006, 2007, and 2008. All-region team members were, respectively, Sabrina Rumrill, Emily Kramer, and Melissa Haapala. Formerly coached by Amy Fuller until March 2008, now coached by Tabetha Waddle. Sub-varsity coaches include Emily Kramer at Junior Varsity, and Rose Patterson at Freshman.

Trivia

* From 1973-1975, future Michigan Wolverines football coach Lloyd Carr coached at John Glenn and he never beat Franklin. Including a 1975 season where John Glenn went 8-1 and Carr won state coach of the year. [http://www.michigan-football.com/f/westglen.htm Carr 0-3 vs. Livonia Franklin]

References

External links

* [http://www.livonia.k12.mi.us/ Livonia Public Schools website]
* [http://www.livonia.k12.mi.us/schools/high/franklin Franklin High School website]
* [http://virtual-reunion.com/fhs1987/ Franklin Class of 1987 website]
* [http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071103/SPORTS05/711030405/1004 Fortin runs Franklin to first district title]
* [http://grandvalleystate.scout.com/2/720032.html Woolfork speaks on commitment to Grand Valley State]