Town History: Riverview High Wasn't Always 'Riverview High'

Riverview High School Principal Robert "Bob" Heilmann acknowledged at the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce luncheon this week that his school, indeed, has had many accolades and accomplishments.

As principal, he added, "I just drive the bus," after which he applauded the work of  teachers, students, parents, coaches, school administrators and groups and organizations, including Angela Slater, who this year registered her 500th win as a high school softball coach in Hillsborough County.

• See Riverview Coach Recognized for 500th Win
• See Sharks Prevail at Riverview Chamber Luncheon

Heilmann said he hoped the business leaders knew what was "going on at 11311 Boyette Road, besides the traffic jams," in reference to the school's address and the ongoing road-widening construction from FishHawk Boulevard through Boyette Road.

"School should be the focal point in a community," he said, as he recounted some of the school's storied past.

In January 1998, Vince Thompson, who Heilmann would succeed, was appointed principal of the new high school at the corner of Balm Riverview and Boyette roads in Riverview.

"Still two lanes at that time," Heilmann said. "We were two [construction] trailers, one for Riverview and one for Rodgers Middle School."

"When we fist came out, just a little history for you, we were not Riverview High School," Heilmann said. "We were Pizzo High School. Tremendous educator, tremendous man, deserves to have a school named after him."

Indeed, Pizzo Elementary School has since been built in Tampa, but back then, Heilmann said, Thompson made it clear to then superintendent of schools, Earl Lennard, "that that name had to be changed."

"And it was," Heilmann said. "We are Riverview High School, as well we should be."

Heilmann said he is in his "40th season" as an educator, having been a dean and counselor at East Bay High School before taking the job at Riverview.

In his early days at Riverview, the school had grown to 2,900 students, having opened with 1,672 students on the first day, for a school that had planned to welcome 1,250.

With close to 3,000 students on the campus, Lennard said, " 'Bobby, I want to put you on double sessions,' " Heilmann recalled. "I was thinking, 'No, doc, I think we could do one more year."

Newsome was coming, he added, and "Spoto, in the near future."

For more on Heilmann's speech, and his recounting of town and school history, view the video attached to this post.