About 20 & Counting

Wyandotte High School, Kansas City, Kansas

The 20 & Counting Project was established in June 2023 by Wyandotte High School alumnus (Class of 1982) and University of Kansas alumnus (Class of 1986) Calvin Thompson, with the support of fellow Wyandotte alumni and friends.

The project’s name honors the 20 boys’ basketball state championships won by the Wyandotte Bulldogs — a total that ranks 5th among all U.S. public high schools.

Of the four public schools ahead of Wyandotte, three are from much smaller states:

Cheyenne Central HS (Wyoming – #50 in U.S. state population) with 27 titles
Portsmouth HS (New Hampshire – #41) with 21 titles
Burlington HS (Vermont – #49) with 21 titles

Fun fact: Former Wyandotte principal Tom Rhone is a 1950 graduate of Cheyenne Central High School!

The only larger state with more championships is Connecticut (#29 in population), home to Hillhouse High School in New Haven, with 24 titles.

The original mission of 20 & Counting was twofold:

Celebrate Wyandotte’s rich basketball legacy of 20 state titles.
Support the current boys’ basketball program in the quest for the program’s 21st state championship.

The 20 and Counting Project

What began as a way to honor Wyandotte High School’s incredible basketball legacy has grown into a movement. Fueled by passionate alumni and friends, the 20 and Counting Project is dedicated to celebrating the past, inspiring the present, and building opportunities for the future.

Our mission is simple: honor excellence, unite generations, and invest in the next wave of Bulldogs.

We are committed to preserving the rich history of Wyandotte basketball while creating new traditions that will inspire for decades to come.

Below are our goals—and the milestones we’ve already reached together.

Goal 1: Celebrate Wyandotte’s Teams, Players, and Coaches

We are honoring the champions, leaders, and game-changers who made Wyandotte basketball a national story—through permanent displays, digital archives, and a feature documentary (in progress).

Accomplishments

Produced 24 permanent 24” x 36” acrylic signs, celebrating each of Wyandotte’s 20 state championships, to be proudly displayed in the school gym.
Launched 20andcounting.com, a living archive filled with championship histories, photos, Bulldog Trailblazers, Noteworthy Contemporaries, and project milestones.
Created a Wall of Fame recognizing all players that played Division 1 collegial and/or professionally.

What’s Next

Partnering with Wyandotte High to create a Retired Jersey/Banners display and a redesigned the Trophy Case.
Producing a feature documentary capturing the 20 State Championships, the unforgettable players and coaches, and the program’s remarkable place in U.S. sports history. Filming began December 13, 2023, and continues.

How to Support This Work

Venmo: @hoopservice
CashApp: $hoopservice
PayPal: hoopservice@aol.com
Check: Contact Calvin Thompson for additional details -- make checks payable to: ThreeFive, Inc. - send to: Wyandotte High School @ of Calvin Thompson, 2501 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, KS 66102

Goal 2: Bring Bulldogs Back Together

Wyandotte basketball is more than a program—it’s a family. Our reunions reconnect teammates, coaches, and fans, reminding us all of what we built together.

Accomplishments

Hosted the first-ever Wyandotte High School Boys’ Basketball Reunion on March 23, 2024.
Established the Lucius Allen – Mr. Bulldog Award, honoring one exceptional alumnus each year for outstanding achievement and dedication.

Goal 3: Invest in Future Champions

Our history is built on opportunity—and we’re making sure future Bulldogs have even more.

Next Step

Establish “20 and Counting” scholarship funds at the University of Kansas and Kansas City Kansas Community College to support Wyandotte High School graduates.

Every sign we hang, every story we tell, and every scholarship we award is part of a bigger picture—a living legacy that keeps Wyandotte’s winning spirit alive.

Planned Activities – Investing in the Next Generation

The “Wyandotte to KU” Scholarship Fund

From the hardwood to the gridiron, Wyandotte High School has sent some of its finest athletes to represent the University of Kansas. In celebration of this proud tradition—and the alumni who wore both Bulldog red and Jayhawk crimson—we’ve created the Wyandotte to KU Scholarship Fund.

This scholarship will open doors for future Wyandotte graduates who choose to continue their education at KU, ensuring they have the same chance to chase greatness.

Initial funding opportunities

Expendable Scholarship for $5,000
Endowed Scholarship for $50,000.
Contributions can be made to the University of Kansas Endowment Association (Attn: Avery Miller).

The “Butch & Nolen Ellison 20 and Counting” Scholarship Fund

Brothers. Pioneers. Champions. Butch and Nolen Ellison left an indelible mark on Wyandotte High School, Kansas City Kansas Community College, and the game of basketball itself.

To honor their achievements—and their lifelong commitment to education and opportunity — we’ve established the Butch & Nolen Ellison 20 and Counting Scholarship Fund at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

This fund will help Wyandotte graduates follow in their footsteps and continue their academic and athletic journeys at KCKCC.

Initial funding opportunities:
- $5,000 for a Named Scholarship (recognizing your direct contribution)
- $25,000 for an Endowed Scholarship (creating a permanent source of support)
Contributions can be made to the Kansas City Kansas Community College Foundation (Attn: Katie Lindgren).

Every scholarship we fund is more than a gift—it’s an investment in a young person’s future, a bridge between our championship past and a brighter tomorrow.