Thirty Seasons of Pride A Closer Look into Two Men Who Helped Woodland Hills High School to Create its Competitive Identity
By Heidi G. Balas oodland Hills
WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE WOODLAND HILLS FOUNDATION.
It was a seemingly impossible feat with its share of woeful detractors. How could five school districts ever merge as one,“ the new district” as it was first called, while also creating a unique identity that respected their individually colorful and storied pasts? After years of planning and consolidations, one high school was to emerge to represent“ the new district.” What would be this high school’ s name? What would be its colors? Its mascot? Its alma mater? Its outcome?
Ultimately, through many contests and votes, the details were officially finalized by the fall of 1987. Gone, but never forgotten, were the Churchill Chargers, the Edgewood Vikings, the General Braddock Falcons, the Swissvale Golden Flashes, and the Turtle Creek Eagles. In their places, Woodland Hills High School was introduced for its inaugural season, with its bold black, white, and turquoise colors; its fierce Wolverine mascot; and its movingly beautiful“ Alma Mater” that echoes through the district each year during home games and upon graduation.
Joined in bond from day to day Friendships made along the way. Ties that bind us like a ring Alma Mater praises sing.
Just as Woodland Hills High School experienced its genesis in 1987, two men embarked on a journey that would carry them together through“ Thirty Seasons of Pride.”
One man’ s office sits adjacent to the auditorium; one man’ s office sits near the“ new gym.” Both offices are time capsules of the past thirty years of Woodland Hills High School. One contains memorabilia from countless trips, shows, and parades; an infamous“ One Way” street sign with an added caption of,“ MY WAY” along with his“ Captain’ s Quarters” sign; collectibles; gifts from students; stacks of sheet music; and various instrument pieces. One contains memorabilia from countless games, tournaments, and events; pictures of former players; newspaper clippings; a possibly stale box of“ Gronk Flakes” cereal; jerseys; and a rather infamous wall of football helmets.
The men who inhabit these offices undeniably have been an integral part of Woodland Hills High School’ s competitive identity, recognition, and success. With Thomas G. Crone leading the Music Department and the Marching Band and Images Visual Ensemble, and George A. Novak leading the Athletic Department and the Wolverine Football Team, an unlikely dynamic duo was formed. This partnership and professional relationship has outlasted many of their colleagues’ careers, defied the odds, and shaped the futures of thousands of young people for three decades.
Sons and daughters stand up tall Let thy banner never fall. May she wave in our hearts as we live.
But even better than viewing each man’ s office, is having the opportunity to speak with them.“ We’ re the only two left!” Novak jokes. Nevertheless, when one wants to know why the Woodland
Hills High School“ banner” has never fallen, it’ s best to ask the“ only two left!”
Both Crone and Novak agree that the initial challenges that faced Woodland Hills High School were what built its character. With its“ sons and daughters” standing“ up tall,” the band, the football team, and the cheerleaders( led by another positive force in the early years, Carol Banaszak), were the first display of Woodland Hills High School; they also were the groups that experienced the first challenges. As one of the largest high schools in the region, Woodland Hills first operated its activities and teams with a“ no cut policy,” to ensure that everyone was made available the opportunity to find success. Novak believes that“ every student has some type of talent,” and despite how this inclusive policy allowed for activities and teams to have rather high numbers, it opened doors to students that may have been closed prior to becoming a Wolverine. The policy“ kept continuity between the twelve communities” and revealed that“ our diversity became our strength. Everyone had the opportunity to pursue their dream,” says Novak.
Crone is positive that the many students who have gone through his programs have been able to find strength in themselves and their abilities, when it otherwise may not have been cultivated,“ no matter what their talent might have been, they found a purpose to be in school … and a lifelong lesson of commitment, time management, and structure.”
Both Crone and Novak are very proud that over these many years they have taught their students and athletes to be tolerant of all kinds of personalities, lifestyles, and backgrounds. When Crone sees the joy in his band’ s faces when they get to ride a horse in the West, see the ocean for the first time, get on a plane with great fear and overcome it, march down Broadway in front of almost a million people while holding their heads up with pride, he never expects, nor wants a thank you. He simply responds with,“ My pleasure,” and that is his truth.
Woodland Hills High School is“ a unique place,” Novak adds with a smile.“ That is a crowning achievement for Woodland Hills. It has given the kids a great background on how the real world works,” Crone states with conviction.
We will rise and sing; Our voice they will hear; Colors raised, victory ' s ours, Alma Mater dear.
Crone recalls that“ what made it work was without a doubt the students. It was amazing.” He describes passionately how the detractors’ concerns about clash of the races never occurred,“ it was a perfect storm for success at the beginning. A great team, a very big band, and good cheerleaders. It gave the students something to get behind and it worked.” To that same point, Novak recalls that,“ our crowds were phenomenal … and the turning point [ for Woodland Hills High School ] was our first game against Gateway.” Both teams were undefeated in the conference and an unprecedented 12,000 fans filled the Wolvarena. Continuing, Novak adds that,“ When we won the game … everything snowballed after that … the band had success … the cheerleaders were known for
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