WOODROW ATHLETICS - WOODROW ATHLETIC BOOSTER

WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL

Woodrow Wilson High School, located in Dallas, Texas, has a rich and storied history dating back to its founding in 1928. Named after the 28th president of the United States, the school was built to serve the growing population of East Dallas and was designed in the Mediterranean Revival style by architect Mark Lemmon.

 

Woodrow opened its doors on September 6, 1928, with around 600 students. Over the years, it grew in size and reputation, quickly becoming one of Dallas’s premier public schools. Known for its academic excellence and well-rounded student experience, Woodrow has long offered a strong blend of academics, arts, athletics, and student organizations.

n the 1950s, Woodrow played a key role in the racial integration of Dallas schools, becoming one of the first high schools in the city to admit African American students. It was a pivotal moment in the school’s legacy of inclusion and progress.

 

Throughout the decades, Woodrow has continued to flourish, producing alumni who have gone on to make a mark in politics, entertainment, business, and sports. The school has undergone multiple renovations to keep pace with the needs of modern students while staying rooted in tradition.

 

Known for its Wildcat pride, red and white colors, and strong community spirit, Woodrow remains a pillar of East Dallas. With generations of alumni returning to give back, the school continues to shape lives and build a legacy of excellence, diversity, and resilience.

WHY HEISMAN HIGH?

Woodrow Wilson High School is proudly known as Heisman High, a title earned through a legacy unlike any other. We are the only public high school in the nation to produce not just one, but two Heisman Trophy winners: Davey O’Brien, who won the award in 1938, and Tim Brown, who claimed it in 1987. This incredible distinction reflects the strength of our athletic program and the character of the athletes who have walked our halls.


At Woodrow, we’re not just honoring the past, we’re building the future. We believe in developing students who are not only strong on the field but also grounded in leadership, integrity, and discipline. Our goal is to continue creating opportunities for the next generation of Wildcats to rise, perhaps even helping to shape another future Heisman winner.

Today, the legacy of Davey and Tim continues to inspire athletes at Woodrow to dream big, work hard, and build their own path to greatness.

WHY HEISMAN HIGH?

POLITICS, LEADERSHIP & PUBLIC SERVICE

  • Sam Johnson – U.S. Congressman and former POW
  • Wallace H. Savage (Class of 1929) – Mayor of Dallas (1949–1951)
  • Jack Wilson Evans (Class of 1940) – Mayor of Dallas (1981–1983), CEO of Tom Thumb grocery chain
  • Jim Mattox (Class of 1961) – Texas Attorney General and U.S. Congressman
  • William M. Steger (Class of 1938) – U.S. District Court Judge, Eastern District of Texas
  • Marvin Runyon (Class of 1942) – U.S. Postmaster General, Ford VP, CEO of Nissan USA
  • Malcolm Wallace (Class of 1939) – Economist to Senator Lyndon B. Johnson
  • Alfred C. Haynes (Class of 1948) – United Airlines pilot who safely landed Flight 232

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

  • Buddy Minyard (Class of 1930) – Founder and chairman of Minyard Food Stores, a major Dallas-area grocery chain
  • Trammell Crow (Class of 1932) – Real estate mogul and developer
  • Carroll Shelby (Class of 1940) – Iconic race car driver, 1959 Le Mans winner, founder of Shelby-American Co.
  • William O’Neil (Class of 1951) – Founder of Investor’s Business Daily

ARTS, MEDIA & CULTURE

  • Steve Miller (Class of 1961) – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame musician, The Steve Miller Band
  • Burton Gilliam (Class of 1956) – Actor known for major film and TV roles
  • Jerry Haynes (Class of 1944) – Legendary children’s TV host “Mr. Peppermint”
  • Travis Willingham (Class of 1999) – Voice actor in video games, anime, and “Critical Role”
  • Georgia Carroll (Class of 1937) – Model and singer featured at the 1936 Dallas Centennial
  • Matt Tolentino (Class of 2003) – Jazz musician and bandleader, The Singapore Slingers
  • Lawrence Wright (Class of 1965) – Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower

ALMA MATER

Hail, Alma Mater; Hats off to you; Ever you’ll find us; Loyal and True; Firm and Undaunted; Ever we’ll be; Hail to the school we love; Here’s a toast to thee!