The Tucson Indian Training School opened in 1888 on the northwest corner of Congress and Sixth Avenue and it moved over to the land on what is now Roskruge K-8 on Sixth Street in 1889. The school moved over to 802 W. Ajo Way in 1907 where it stayed until it closed in 1960.
Students living at the site started going to Pueblo High School in 1957. The Braves were coached by future University of Arizona head coach William Ruthrauff from 1889 to 1904 (26-4-4). If the name sounds familiar, Ruthrauff Road is named after his brother John Mosheim “Mos” Ruthrauff Jr.
The school started playing more high schools as they opened up and the Braves beat Marana in football 48-19 in 1956. The Santa Cruz Plaza started construction on the site (Ajo/I-10 Freeway) in 1981 and it was anchored by Mervyn’s. It was the largest outdoor shopping center in Tucson when it opened.
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014, he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017, a 2019 AZ Education News award winner and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. He was the first in Arizona to write about high school beach volleyball and high school girls wrestling. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy is the Southern Arizona voting member of the Ed Doherty Award, recognizing the top football player in Arizona, and he was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Andy was named an Honorary Flowing Wells Caballero in 2019, became a member of the Sunnyside Los Mezquites Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2021 and he was a member of the Amphi COVID-19 Blue Ribbon Committee and he earned a Distinguished Service Award from Amphitheater. Contact Andy Morales at amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com
