Raytown South High School
| Raytown South Senior High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
8211 Sterling Raytown, MO 64138 | |
| Coordinates | 38°58′23″N 94°26′58″W / 38.97312°N 94.44953°WCoordinates: 38°58′23″N 94°26′58″W / 38.97312°N 94.44953°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1961 |
| School district | Raytown C-2 School District |
| Principal | Dr. Kevin Overfelt |
| Faculty |
Lori Flaherty (activities) Dr. Earl Donalson |
| Enrollment | 1,404 |
| Color(s) | Red and White |
| Mascot | Cardinals |
| Information | (816) 268-7330 |
| Website | Raytown South H.S. |
 Aerial view | |
Raytown South Senior High School is a high school located in Raytown, Missouri. The school was established in 1961, and graduated its first class of seniors in 1964. The enrollment at South peaked in the late 1970s, when it had the largest public school enrollment in the state of Missouri. As Raytown became less of a "destination-suburb" in the 1990s, the enrollment fell drastically. It is thought that the class of 1998, amassing 247 students, was the smallest graduating class ever.
Academics
Speech/Debate
The forensics program has had several national champions in various styles of debate, public forum, expository speaking and poetry reading.
Choir
From 1984-2001, the choir program saw several dozen student attain All-State status. The choir program performed throughout Kansas City, including Crown Center, Arrowhead Stadium and Royals Stadium. Every May, thousands came to an annual variety show called Southern Comfort. In November 2005, sang at Carnegie Hall along with several other show choirs from across the country.
Athletics
Boys Baseball
- 1985 Paul Crain Led Baseball in Strikeouts went on to play at Longview Community College.
Boys Basketball
From the inception of the school until March 2006, the program was under the direction of the legendary Bud Lathrop. His career record was 955-300, going 924-267 at South. As of his retirement, Lathrop was ranked No. 7 all-time in high school career coaching victories in the United States.
Lathrop's teams won Missouri State Titles in:
- 1970 - Squad went 27-1 led by Randy Culberson 6'2"
- 1972 - Led By John Harrison 6'5" and Ed Stoll 6'6"
- 1977 - led by the F-Troop, better known as Bill Fennelly, Kevin Fromm and Larry Frevert.
- 1990 - Went 31-0 and were led by Jevon Crudup.
He also went to the Final Four six other times in 1974, 1975, 1985, 1992, 1993, 2003.
He advanced to the state playoffs 23 times, and won 35 conference championships. Lathrop is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
254 of Lathrop's former players went on to play college basketball at various levels.
Boys Golf
Although the boys' golf program never qualified for the Missouri State Tournament as a team, several players have qualified individually, including Trey Griggs in 1996.
Notable alumni
- Jason Belser - Played football at the University of Oklahoma and had a long career with the Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs. Class of 1988.
- Kara Brock - Television and film actress.
- Mara Brock Akil - Writer and television producer
- John D. Carmack - Co-founder of id Software
- Jevon Crudup - Played Basketball at the University of Missouri and was drafted 48th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1994 NBA Draft
- Bob Dernier - Professional baseball player who spent 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs.
- Dan Graham - Former MLB player (Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles)
- Maurice Mitchell - Ran track at Florida State University and was a qualifier for the 2012 olympics in the 200 meters. Class of 2008
- Erich "Mancow" Muller - Attended but not a graduate - Nationally Syndicated radio personality and political pundant. Currently based in Chicago, Illinois.
- Limbo Parks - Played Football at the University of Arkansas was first team All Southwest Conference and played one year in NFL in 1987 with San Francisco 49ers
- Stan Wall - Former MLB player (Los Angeles Dodgers)