Wyandotte Basketball - 20 and Counting Project
Wyandotte High School, Kansas City, Kansas
Bulldog Basketball Reunion, 2024
March 23, 2024
L- R: Craig Delich, Harry Gibson, George Czaplinski, Tom French, Steve Renko, Lucius Allen, Randy Springs, Victor Williams
The 20 and Counting Project Tips Off at Wyandotte High School
A reunion of Wyandotte High School, Kansas City, Kansas, past men’s basketball teams gathered Saturday, March 23, 2024 in celebration of their historic past. If you weren’t around during the heyday of Wyandotte High School basketball, you may not know that it once was one of the premiere athletic programs in the country.
The Bulldogs have won 20 state titles, including a 1923 undefeated season, when the school was then called Kansas City Kansas High School. The school’s championship titles took place during the 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and the 90s. There aren't many high schools that can top that feat.
Attending were more than 160 former players, coaches, and their families who gathered in the school’s cafeteria to reminisce and catch up with one another.
Several notable players were in attendance including former Wyandotte High School basketball star Lucius Allen, a prep All-American player under former Wyandotte basketball coach, Walt Shublom, who was named consensus first-team all-state as a junior and senior.
L-R + Graduating Year: Willie Vaughn, '85 - Randy Springs, '85 - head coach, Wil Davis (son of William Davis) Chris Blaurock, '85, Lucius Allen, '65, William Davis, '85, Charles White, '83
Lucius Allen, Class of 1965
Allen led Wyandotte to back-to-back Class AA state championships in 1964 and 1965. He would go on to play at UCLA and play ten seasons in the NBA. He is one of only a few players ever to win a high school state championship, a collegiate national title, and an NBA championship.
Former coaches George Czaplinski, Wayne Van Dine and Randy Springs were also in attendance. Springs helped guide the Bulldogs to two state titles in 1984 and again in 1985.
Star guard Willie Vaughn IV was on the 1985 team that won a state title. “It was good seeing some of my old teammates and other past champions. Our ‘85 team built a bond that still exists some 40 years later,” said Vaughn.
The gathering wasn’t just about taking a trip back down memory lane. Organizers of the 20 and Counting Project initially said that the event was simply to recognize and honor former players and coaches.
But now the group has pivoted. The new goal of the 20 and Counting Project is to bring back the awareness and pride that the high school once held. Wyandotte High School and University of Kansas basketball star Calvin “Pony” Thompson helped launch the 20 and Counting Project.
“I could not be happier on how well everything turned out. One thing that sticks out to the most is the pride that every former student-athlete embodies,” said Thompson.
Organizers also hope to create college scholarships for Wyandotte High School student-athletes to attend Kansas City Kansas Community College or Kansas University.
Also in the works, creating a Wyandotte High School Basketball Hall of Fame, a sports Wall of Fame, funds to remodel the current trophy case at Wyandotte High School, and provide new bleachers inside the school’s gym.
Calvin "Pony" Thompson, Class of 1982
A film crew was also at the gathering. They were there to film a documentary about the basketball powerhouse and its players and coaches. “We were approached to turn this event into a documentary on not just the historic basketball program, but also to share the notable alumni as well as the history of the school itself,” said Thompson.
Coach George Czaplinski
Chris Blaurock, Class of 1985
Craig Delich, Class of 1965
Robert Gray, who played on the 1969 and 70’ teams, reached out to Thompson from the hospital. He shared with Thompson that doctors had given him a short time to live and asked if he could be part of the documentary.
Gray invited Thompson to his hospital room, where he told him, before he passes, he wanted to let people know what Wyandotte High School and Wyandotte basketball meant to him.
“Not only did this show incredible strength and courage, but also the kind of pride that I am trying to bring back and instill in our current coaches and players,” added Thompson.
Vaughn said it best. “I have been all over the world, and people know about a little high school that sits at 2501 Minnesota, in Kansas City, Kansas.”
Story by: Markl Johnson, USD 500, Director of Communications and Marketing
Photo Credits: The KCK Public Library, Willie Vaughn IV, Calvin Thompson, and Brian Turner
Robert Gray, Class of 1971
Contact: Calvin Thompson
20 and Counting
c/o Calvin Thompson
Wyandotte High School
2501 Minnesota Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66102
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