Judson High School

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox school

|name = Judson High School

|address = 9142 FM 78

|city = Converse

|state = Texas

|zipcode = 78109

|county = Bexar County

|country = United States

|coordinates = {{coord|29.509634|-98.306707|type:edu_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}

|us_nces_school_id = {{NCES School ID|482499002789|school_name=Judson High School|access_date=December 19, 2024|ref_name="NCES"}}

|schooltype = high school

|fundingtype = Public

|established = 1959

|district = Judson ISD

|locale = Suburb: Large

|grades = 9{{ndash}}12

|principal = Joe Gutierrez

|faculty = 170.13 {{FTE}}

|enrollment = 2,527

|enrollment_as_of = 2023{{ndash}}2024

|ratio = 14.86

|conference = UIL Class AAAAAA

|colors = {{color box|#92000a}} {{color box|#808080}} Red & Grey

|mascot = Rocket

|newspaper = The Fuel

|yearbook = The Rocket

|website = [https://school.judsonisd.org//JudsonHigh.cfm? Judson High School]

}}

Judson High School is a public, co-educational secondary school in Converse, Texas, 15 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio. It was established in 1959 as part of the Judson Independent School District, and is currently classified as a 6A school by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). During 2022{{ndash}}2023, Judson High School had an enrollment of 2,666 students and a student to teacher ratio of 15.22. The school received an overall rating of "Not Rated" from the Texas Education Agency for the 2021{{ndash}}2022 school year.{{cite web |title=2022 School Report Card JUDSON H S |url=https://rptsvr1.tea.texas.gov/cgi/sas/broker?_service=marykay&_program=perfrept.perfmast.sas&_debug=0&ccyy=2022&lev=C&id=015916001&prgopt=reports%2Fsrc%2Fsrc.sas |publisher=Texas Education Agency |access-date=November 24, 2024}}

History

{{More citations needed section|date=November 2024}}

Judson High School is the second oldest International Baccalaureate World School in Texas, since 1985. The school and the District were named after Moses Campbell Judson, who served on the Bexar County School Board from 1918 to 1939. His nephew Jack Judson was on the board when the decision was made to name the new rural high school Judson.{{cite web |url=https://www.judsonisd.org/Page/251 |title=History of Judson ISD |website=judsonisd.org |access-date=December 18, 2019}}

For a portion of its history up through 2010, Judson High School used a dual campus system wherein juniors and seniors attended the "Red Campus" and freshmen and sophomores attended the "Gray Campus." Previous to this dual campus system, Judson also had an atypical structure because it only housed grades 10–12 with the middle schools supporting grades 7–9. These structural departures from a typical high school system were due to efforts to accommodate the area's rapid population growth.

A single building now houses all departments with the exception of the agriculture facilities. All original buildings that made up the Red Campus were razed in 2011 to make way for new athletic fields and tennis courts, and the Gray Campus was re-purposed into Judson Middle School. The Judson ISD Performing Arts Center (PAC), constructed in 1998, houses the band, choir, orchestra, and drama classes. The PAC facility has a recital hall that seats 216 people, and an Auditorium that has 840 seats. The Judson ISD Performing Arts Center is physically connected to Judson High School via a vestibule.

Judson was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 1999–2000.{{cite web|url=https://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-2003.pdf |title=National Blue Ribbon Schools Program |publisher=U.S. Department of Education}}

Athletics

Judson's athletic programs have experienced state championship success in several sports amassing 10 state championships (6 in football, 3 in track and field, and 1 in basketball).

Football

The Judson Rocket football program emerged as a perennial power in the 1977 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/12/13/21003068/texas-football-commits-playoff-semifinals-hudson-card-jaquinden-jackson-hayden-conner-denton-ryan |title=Texas football commits in the state semifinals, Dec. 13–14 |last=Wells |first=Jonathan |date=December 13, 2019 |website=burntorangenation.com |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214130949/https://www.burntorangenation.com/2019/12/13/21003068/texas-football-commits-playoff-semifinals-hudson-card-jaquinden-jackson-hayden-conner-denton-ryan |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |url-status=live}} Judson won its first state championship in 1983.{{cite web |url=https://www.uiltexas.org/football/archives/a5f9042ab5475f1ed4f28fc728a14ee4 |title=UIL Football State Archives: 1983–1984 |publisher=University Interscholastic League |access-date=December 17, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Converse-Judson-s-state-championship-game-8604255.php

|title=Converse Judson's state championship game appearances |date=October 30, 2006 |publisher=The Associated Press |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217122431/https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Converse-Judson-s-state-championship-game-8604255.php |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |url-status=live}}

D.W. Rutledge coached the Rockets until 2000 amassing a record of 198-31-5 taking the Rockets to seven state championship games, and winning four state titles.{{cite web |url= http://tlu.edu/torchlite_may_2009 |title=TLU Today |date=May 1, 2009 |publisher=Texas Lutheran University |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129082242/http://tlu.edu/torchlite_may_2009 |archive-date=November 29, 2010 |url-status=dead}} The football stadium is named after Coach Rutledge in his honor.{{cite web |url=https://taso.org/news/football/taso-football-to-honor-d-w-rutledge/ |title=TASO Football to Honor D.W. Rutledge |website=taso.org |date=March 28, 2019}}

After the 2000 season, the team went to the state playoffs in nine of eleven seasons making three championship game appearances and winning one state championship.{{cite news |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/high_school/high_school_football/article/Judson-s-Rackley-calling-it-a-career-2439649.php |title=Judson's Rackley calling it a career |last=Chan |first=Lorne |date=January 3, 2012 |publisher=San Antonio Express News |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217125553/https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/high_school/high_school_football/article/Judson-s-Rackley-calling-it-a-career-2439649.php |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Mark Smith, formerly of Kerrville Tivy High School where he coached Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, assumed head coaching duties at Judson from 2012 through 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/high_school/high_school_football/article/Judson-embraces-change-at-the-top-3814309.php |title=Judson embraces change at the top |last=Chan |first=Lorne |date=August 24, 2012 |publisher=San Antonio Express News |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217130128/https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/high_school/high_school_football/article/Judson-embraces-change-at-the-top-3814309.php |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |url-status=live}}

Sean McAuliffe, an alumnus of Judson High School and its football program, became the head coach starting with the 2014 season.{{cite news |url=https://www.kens5.com/article/opinion/contributors/david-flores/mcauliffe-living-his-dream-as-judson-head-football-coach/264096297 |title=McAuliffe living his dream as Judson head football coach |first=David |last=Flores |publisher=KENS5 |date=December 5, 2014 |access-date=December 18, 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.kens5.com/article/sports/judson-football-coach-mcauliffe-resigns-to-take-same-job-at-houston-cypress-ranch/273-77ecc055-65b9-42da-b45e-b1f058f8062c |title=Judson football coach McAuliffe resigns to take same job at Houston Cypress Ranch |first=David |last=Flores |publisher=KENS5 |date=April 18, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2019}}

Judson offensive coordinator Rodney Williams became head coach in May 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.kens5.com/article/sports/judson-offensive-coordinator-williams-promoted-to-head-football-coach/273-981cf26d-daf6-440f-8f18-aa5c7bc2d781 |title=Judson offensive coordinator Williams promoted to head football coach |first=David |last=Flores |date=May 7, 2019 |access-date=December 18, 2019 |publisher=KENS5}} In his first season Williams led the Rockets to a regular season record of 9–1, but the team lost to Lake Travis 48–35 in the Region 4 Final, finishing the season at 12–2.{{cite news |url=https://www.statesman.com/sports/20191207/hudson-card-returns-lake-travis-rolls-past-judson-in-football-playoffs |title=Hudson Card returns; Lake Travis rolls past Judson in football playoffs |first=Thomas |last=Jones |date=December 7, 2019 |publisher=Austin-American Statesman |access-date=December 18, 2019}}

Judson has made it to the playoffs 42 times over 59 total seasons, advanced to the state semifinal level 18 times,{{cite web|url=http://www.kens5.com/story/opinion/contributors/david-flores/2015/12/07/judson-has-long-winning-history-state-semifinals/76906842/|title=Judson has long, winning history in state semifinals|last=TEGNA}} reached the state title game 11 times, and won the state championship six times.{{cite web|url=https://www.uiltexas.org/football/state |title=UIL Football State Champions |publisher=University Interscholastic league |access-date=February 21, 2018}}

Judson holds the all-time Texas state record with 47 consecutive winning seasons from 1977 through 2023. The team last finished with a losing record in 1976 and is a combined 462–106–5 during the streak.{{Cite web|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/high_school/high_school_football/article/Rockets-red-glare-Judson-s-winning-ways-12162179.php|title=Rockets' red glare: Judson's winning ways have lasted 40 years|first=Terrence|last=Thomas|date=August 30, 2017|website=San Antonio Express-News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/high_school/high_school_football/article/Judson-sets-record-in-big-way-4927963.php|title=Judson sets record in big way|first=Terrence|last=Thomas|date=October 26, 2013|website=mySA}} The previous record for consecutive winning seasons was 36 set by Plano Senior High School. During the current streak, Judson has won over 80 percent of its games, and the worst record in 44 years is 7–5 with a worst regular season record of 6–4 (happened 4 times).

class="wikitable"
YearsRecordWinning Percentage
1977 to 2020462-106-581%
1962 to 2020515-200-1072%

Judson's season records during the streak from 1977 to 2022 are below.

class="wikitable"
YearRecordCoachSeason Result
197710–1SandersLost in bi-district round to San Antonio Holmes 14–21
197810–2SandersLost in regional round to San Antonio Churchill 14–30
197910–1SandersLost in bi-district round to San Antonio Jay 28–0
19806–4ArnoldMissed playoffs
19817–3ArnoldMissed playoffs
198214–1ArnoldState semifinalist losing to Beaumont Westbrook 12–27
198315–1ArnoldState champion defeating Midland Lee 25–21
198411–2–1RutledgeState quarterfinalist losing to San Antonio Madison 16–19
198512–2RutledgeState quarterfinalist losing to San Antonio Holmes 29–30
198612–1RutledgeState quarterfinalist losing to Austin Reagan 15–18
19879–1–1RutledgeLost in area championship to state semifinalist Fort Bend Willowridge 17–8
198815–1RutledgeState champion defeating Dallas Carter 1–0 (Carter won game 31–14 but was later disqualified)
198914–1RutledgeState semifinalist losing to Aldine 14–48
199014–2RutledgeState finalist losing to Marshall 19–21
199111–3RutledgeState semifinalist losing to Fort Bend Dulles 26–27
199214–1RutledgeState champion defeating Euless Trinity 52–0
199313–0–2RutledgeState champion defeating Plano 36–13
199410–3–1RutledgeState semifinalist losing to Katy 19–42
199514–1RutledgeState champion defeating Odessa Permian 31–28
199613–2RutledgeState finalist losing to Lewisville 34–58
19977–4RutledgeLost in bi-district round to Austin Crockett 15–26
199814–1RutledgeState finalist losing to Duncanville 21–24
19997–3RutledgeMissed playoffs
20008–3RutledgeLost in bi-district round to Austin Westlake 6–35
20019–3RackleyLost in regional round to San Antonio Taft 13–32
200214–1RackleyState champion defeating Midland 33–32
20036–4RackleyMissed playoffs
200413–1RackleyState semifinalist losing to Spring Westfield 14–28
200510–5RackleyState finalist losing to Euless Trinity 14–28
20066–4RackleyMissed playoffs
200711–5RackleyState finalist losing to Euless Trinity 10–13
20088–3RackleyLost in bi-district round to San Antonio Stevens 12–14
20099–3RackleyLost in area round to Austin Westlake 17–43
20107–5RackleyLost in area round to San Antonio Stevens 27–33
20118–3RackleyLost in bi-district round to San Antonio Madison 24–25
20128–4SmithLost in area round to San Antonio O'Connor 28–34
201311–3SmithState quarterfinalist losing to San Antonio Madison 29–33
201410–5McAuliffeState semifinalist losing to Cypress Ranch 31–38
201513–2McAuliffeState semifinalist losing to Galena Park North Shore 17–23
20169–3McAuliffeLost in second round to state quarterfinalist Austin Westlake 21–24
201710–2McAuliffeLost in second round to state finalist Austin Lake Travis, 39–47
201812–1McAuliffeState quarterfinalist losing to state semifinalist Lake Travis 38–21
201912–2WilliamsState quarterfinalist losing to state semifinalist Lake Travis 48–35
20206–3WilliamsLost in bi-district round to San Antonio Roosevelt 21–28
20214–6Williams/Joel CallMissed Playoffs
20225–7SotoLost in area round to State finalist Austin Vandegrift 7–37
20234–8SotoLost in area round to state quarterfinalist Dripping Springs 34–38

Basketball

The Judson Rocket boys basketball program has been a perennial contender under coach Michael Wacker. Judson has been to the UIL state tournament three times: 1992–1993, 2000–2001, and 2013–2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/archives-boys|title=Boys Basketball State Archives — University Interscholastic League (UIL)|first=University Interscholastic|last=League}} In all three instances, Judson lost to the eventual state champion. The Rockets finished the 2014 season with a record of 37–2, the best record in Judson boys basketball history.

class="wikitable"
YearTitleCoachSeason Result
1993State FinalistWackerLost to Fort Worth Dunbar 74–64
2001State SemifinalistWackerLost to Sugar Land Willowridge 67–64 (2OT)
2014State FinalistWackerLost to Galena Park North Shore 57–45

Under coach Triva Corrales, the Judson Rocket girls basketball program has been to the UIL state tournament four times (2017–2020) losing to the eventual state champion in 2017, 2018, and 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/high_school/high_school_basketball/article/Judson-takes-hard-road-to-UIL-state-tournament-10973023.php|title=Judson takes hard road to UIL state tournament|first=David|last=Hinojosa|date=March 3, 2017|website=San Antonio Express-News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/high_school/high_school_basketball/article/Duncanville-pulls-away-from-Judson-in-6A-state-10976485.php|title=Duncanville pulls away from Judson in 6A state semifinal|first=David|last=Hinojosa|date=March 4, 2017|website=mySA}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/high_school/high_school_basketball/article/Plano-tops-Judson-in-Class-6A-championship-12726243.php|title=Plano tops Judson in Class 6A championship|first=David|last=Hinojosa|date=March 4, 2018|website=mySA}} Judson beat Desoto in 2019 to claim its first state title in girls basketball.{{cite web |url=https://www.uiltexas.org/basketball/archives-girls-school-search/15a5272c3d10a11d6494226b57566d7a/ |title=Girls Basketball State Archives School Search |website=uiltexas.org |access-date=2019-04-04}}

class="wikitable"
YearTitleCoachSeason Result
2017State SemifinalistCorralesLost to Duncanville 53–41
2018State FinalistCorralesLost to Plano 62–58
2019State ChampionCorralesBeat Desoto 49–46
2020State SemifinalistCorralesLost to Duncanville 45–36

Softball

The Judson Rocket girls softball program has emerged as a very competitive program under coach Theresa Urbanovsky. Judson made its first UIL state tournament in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksat.com/sports/2021/06/02/judson-softball-preparing-for-uil-class-6a-state-semifinal-against-rockwall/|title=Judson softball preparing for UIL Class 6A State semifinal against Rockwall|first=Greg Simmons, Mark|last=Mendez|date=June 2, 2021|website=KSAT}} The Rockets finished the 2021 season with a record of 35–3, the best record in Judson girls softball history.

class="wikitable"
YearTitleCoachSeason Result
2021State FinalistUrbanovskyLost to Deer Park 1–0

Track and Field

Judson track and field programs have experienced significant success having won 3 state titles. The boys team won the 2013 Texas 5A state track meet,{{cite web|url=https://www.uiltexas.org/archives/champions/2012-2013#track-field-boys|title=2012–2013 State Champions — Archives — University Interscholastic League (UIL)|first=University Interscholastic|last=League}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.judsonisd.org/jblog/post.cfm/recognition-rally-for-state-track-champs|title=Recognition Rally For State Track Champs – JBlog}} and the girls team won consecutive Texas 5A/6A state championships in 2014 and 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.uiltexas.org/archives/champions/2013-2014#track-field-girls|title=2013–2014 State Champions — Archives — University Interscholastic League (UIL)|first=University Interscholastic|last=League}}[https://www.uiltexas.org/archives/champions/2014-2015#track-field-girls UIL State Champions Track & Field]{{cite web|url=http://usatodayhss.com/2015/judson-girls-savoring-repeat-as-track-state-champions|title=Judson girls savoring repeat as track state champions|date=17 May 2015}}

class="wikitable"
YearTitleCoachSeason Result
2013State ChampionFaughtWon 5A boys state team title
2014State ChampionGerbichWon 5A girls state team title
2015State ChampionGerbichWon 6A girls state team title

Wrestling

The wrestling program has recent individual state titles in the 140 lbs. weight class through Aaron Walker (2010–5th, 2011–1st, 2012–1st).{{cite web|url=https://www.uiltexas.org/wrestling/state-results/2010-2011-boys-wrestling-state-results|title=2010–2011 Boys Wrestling State Results — University Interscholastic League (UIL)|first=University Interscholastic|last=League}}{{cite web|url=https://www.uiltexas.org/wrestling/state-results/2011-2012-boys-wrestling-state-results|title=2011–2012 Boys Wrestling State Results — University Interscholastic League (UIL)|first=University Interscholastic|last=League}}

Notable alumni

  • Mike Azzaro (Class of 1983) — former professional polo player
  • Eric Brown (Class of 1993) — former NFL safety for the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/players/eric-brown/|title=Eric Brown Stats, News and Video – SS|website=NFL.com}}
  • Tre Flowers (Class of 2013) — current NFL cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals{{Cite web|url=https://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/2018/04/28/seahawks-select-cornerback-tre-flowers-with-pick-no-146/|title=On October 12, 2021, Flowers was waived by the Seahawks. Flowers was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals on October 14, 2021.}}
  • Phillip Gaines (Class of 2009) — current NFL cornerback for the Houston Texans{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/players/phillip-gaines/|title=Phillip Gaines Stats, News and Video – CB|website=NFL.com}}
  • Derwin Gray (Class of 1989) — evangelist and former NFL defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/players/derwin-gray/|title=Derwin Gray Stats, News and Video – OT|website=NFL.com}}
  • Otis Grigsby (Class of 1999) — former NFL defensive end for the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings[http://www.nfl.com/player/otisgrigsby/2505396/profile Otis Grigsby Player Profile from NFL.com]
  • Anthony Hutchison (Class of 1978) — former NFL running back for the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills
  • Rob Housler (Class of 2006) — former NFL tight end who has played for the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and New England Patriots{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/players/rob-housler/|title=Rob Housler Stats, News and Video – TE|website=NFL.com}}
  • Mike Jinks (Class of 1990) — college football coach; former head football coach at Bowling Green State University{{Cite web|url=http://bgsufalcons.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1109|title=BGSU Falcons Head Coach}}
  • Tanner Leissner (Class of 2014) - basketball player who plays professionally in Japan{{cite web |title=Tanner Leissner College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/tanner-leissner-1.html |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}
  • Bert Richardson (Class of 1974) — judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and a San Antonio lawyer{{Cite web|url=http://www.txcourts.gov/cca/about-the-court/judges/judge-bert-richardson.aspx|title=TJB | CCA | About the Court | Judges | Judge Bert Richardson|website=www.txcourts.gov}}
  • Corey Sears (Class of 1991) — former NFL defensive end for the Houston Texans, St. Louis Rams, and Arizona Cardinals[http://www.nfl.com/player/coreysears/2502885/profile Rob Housler Player Profile from NFL.com]
  • Karen Wagner (Class of 1979) — former officer in the United States Army; died at the Pentagon in the September 11 attacks, namesake for Karen Wagner High School{{cite magazine |last=Spong |first=John |date=August 31, 2011 |title=Karen Wagner's Life |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/karen-wagners-life/ |magazine=Texas Monthly |publisher=Emmis |access-date=December 20, 2019}}
  • Jarveon Williams (Class of 2013) — former NFL running back for the Cincinnati Bengals{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/jarveonwilliams/2559010/profile |title=Jarveon Williams Player Profile |website=nfl.com |access-date=December 20, 2019}}
  • DeMarvin Leal (Class of 2019) — NFL defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers{{Cite web |title=DeMarvin Leal Stats, News and Video - DE |url=https://www.nfl.com/players/demarvin-leal/ |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}

References

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