Wyandotte High School Honors a Legacy of Champions

The Wyandotte High School community recently gathered for an evening that will long be remembered as a powerful and emotional tribute.

On Friday, February 20, the 20 and Counting Project proudly honored twenty-eight incredible Bulldog alumni, five coaches, and one very special athletic director.

In a moment filled with pride and emotion, their names and jersey numbers were officially retired and are now permanently displayed on the east side of the Walt Shublom basketball gymnasium at Wyandotte High School.

It was a fitting tribute to a group of individuals who helped create one of the nation’s elite high school basketball programs.

The Bulldogs have captured 20 state championships, highlighted by a legendary undefeated season in 1923.

Their dominance spanned seven decades, from the roaring 1920s through the 1990s, cementing a lasting legacy of excellence.

It was all due to these titans of basketball at Wyandotte High School who will forever stand as lasting reminders of their excellence, commitment, and Bulldog pride.

“This recognition affirms to alumni that their efforts mattered, that Wyandotte remembers them, and that their impact continues to shape the program today,” said former Wyandotte High School basketball standout Calvin Thompson.

“At Wyandotte High School, jerseys aren’t retired simply for numbers on a scoreboard. They are retired for the lasting impact left on the program, the school, and the Bulldog community," added Thompson.

These honorees represent the very best of what it means to be a Bulldog. Their achievements extend far beyond wins and championships.

Many of the honorees received recognition as First Team All-State athletes, state champions, and/or Final Four competitors.

It’s not surprising that some of them went on to achieve success including competing at the collegiate level, reaching the NCAA Final Four, and playing professionally in the NFL, CFL, MLB, and NBA.

Their journeys serve as powerful examples to the current and future Bulldogs of what dedication, discipline, and belief can accomplish.

Rufus Black was also recognized for his remarkable tenure as athletic director at Wyandotte High School, where he served for more than 50 years.

Throughout his decades of leadership, Black played a central role in developing and sustaining the school’s athletic programs.

During his time at the helm, he guided generations of student-athletes, oversaw the growth of multiple sports programs, and helped establish a culture of discipline, pride, and competitive excellence.

“My hope is that when visitors see the jerseys and banners, they understand that they represent more than wins and championships. They represent possibility,” shared Thompson.

“I want students to look up and see proof of what can happen when commitment, discipline, and belief come together.

Many of the names and numbers hanging in this gym belong to individuals who once sat in the same classrooms, walked the same hallways, and came from the same neighborhoods our students do today.”

In 2023, Thompson, a star basketball player in the 1980s, launched the 20 and Counting Project, a celebration of the Bulldogs’ 20 state basketball championships.

Thompson also launched the Wall of Fame, a tribute to the players whose achievements continue to inspire.

To learn more about the 20 and Counting Project website, click the link.