Chadsey Senior High School was a public secondary school in Detroit, Michigan.
Chadsey Senior High School was named in honor of Charles E. Chadsey - Superintendent of the Detroit Public Schools, 1912–1919; Chadsey High was constructed and organized in 1931. Since the school was not ready for occupancy on opening day, Chadsey's sessions were held - following dismissal of younger students - at adjacent Munger Intermediate School. Finally, on October 12, 1931, construction was completed and Chadsey High School began operation.
The date of occupancy - Columbus Day - inspired nicknames; for the athletic teams: the Explorers; the school newspaper: The Navigator; the school annual: The Compass, and Discovery: Chadsey's literary magazine. Fittingly, the school colors chosen for Chadsey High were those under which Columbus sailed: the vermilion and gold of Spain's Ferdinand and Isabella.
Chadsey High School added one half-grade of secondary classes, each semester until January 1934; the first graduating class celebrated its matriculation in June 1934. Chadsey High School was first accredited by the University of Michigan in 1934, and by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1939.
The Detroit school district underestimated the impact of population decline in the City of Detroit and failed to proactively manage reduction in staff and facilities; an emergency manager was appointed. The district's $285-million deficit for 2009-2010 led to the layoff of nearly 1,900 teachers and administrators; the financial difficulties also forced the closing of 29 educational facilities, including Charles E. Chadsey High School.
Its neighborhoods were assigned to the Southwestern High School zone. Students began attending regular classes there in September 2009.
The school has been demolished as of February 9, 2011. The land was needed so Detroit Public Schools can build a new $22.3 million school on the property. Local artisans are being allowed to pick through the rubble for pieces of 1920s limestone for a community garden.
Track and Field Powerhouse
The track and field program was a source of great pride at Chadsey High. Through the years, several individuals and two relay quartets won Michigan High School Athletic Association titles. Collectively, the 1981 ladies' squad was runner-up for team honors at the MHSAA Finals, and the 1982 team finished first - bringing home the state championship trophy for Charles E. Chadsey High. More recently, 1995 was an exciting year for the men's track team; the Explorers finished second at the state championships.
Chadsey Explorers: Notable Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame
Dimitri Banks (2004) sprinted his way to a gold medal in the 200-meter dash at the 2004 MHSAA Finals
Marion Barber, Jr. (1978) former NFL running back (New York Jets 1982-1988) and father of NFL players Marion Barber III and Dominique Barber.
Jerome Davis (1993) was a former NFL and CFL offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, Calgary Stampeders, San Francisco 49ers, Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Karen Dennis (1966) was the 1964 Michigan High School Track Athlete of the Year. As a Chadsey sophomore, Karen established Michigan AAU records at 100-yards (11.2); 220-yards (25.3) and 200 meters (25.2). Two years after graduating from Chadsey, Dennis placed fifth in the 200-meter dash at the 1968 U.S. Olympic Trials. In 1975, while competing for Michigan State University, Dennis won the 220-yard dash at the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women National Championships. In 1977, Dennis was hired as the MSU women's assistant track coach; in 1981 Dennis was named the program's head coach. In 1992, after 11 seasons at Michigan State, Dennis took over the University of Nevada, Las Vegas track and field program. Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment on Dennis' professional resume was her appointment as the head coach of the United States women's national team that competed in the 2000 Olympic Games. In 2002, Dennis accepted an assistant coach position at the Ohio State University; in 2005, Dennis was promoted to head coach of the OSU women’s track team.
Cynthia Dixon (1982) ran to glory as an individual and relay state champion; she was also a member of Chadsey's 1982 state championship team. Her MHSAA titles include: the 800-meter and 1600-meter relay (1982); the 880-yard run (1981).
Ray Hill (1993) was a former NFL safety for the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins.
Renaldo Hill (1996) was a former NFL safety for the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and the New Orleans Saints.
Marcus Howell (1990) is the founder of the Marvell Industries concrete flooring company based in Atlanta, Georgia
Elaine Jones (1981) was one of the greatest athletes in the history of Michigan high school track and field. Jones won a grand total of five individual MHSAA titles: the 220 and 440-yard dash (1981); the 100 and 220-yard dash (1979), and 100-yard dash (1978).
Andy Kincannon (1953) was an All-City basketball player for the Chadsey Explorers. On the intercollegiate scene, Kincannon was a standout athlete for the Chargers of Hillsdale College; where he was a three-time All-MIAA selection in football, and a three-time MIAA Field Day champion in the javelin throw. During the 1970s, Andy Kincannon was a highly regarded educator and athletic coach at Detroit's Redford High School; his football and swimming teams were among Michigan's best. Following his success at Redford High, Kincannon coached linebackers for thirteen seasons at Indiana University (1984-1996).
Johnny Lipon (1943) was a former MLB player for the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Cincinnati Reds.
Kari Manns (1982) was a key contributor on Chadsey's 1982 state championship track team; running to victory on both the 800-meter and 1600-meter relay. Kari also placed second in the 100-meter hurdles.
Vivian McKenzie (1982) was the MVP of Chadsey's 1982 state championship track team; her gold medal performances at that year's MHSAA Finals included: the 100 and 200-meter dash; the 800-meter and 1600-meter relay.
Vera Pruitt (1984) was a member of Chadsey's 1982 state championship team; she ran on the victorious 800-meter and 1600-meter relay squads. Two years later, Vera won the 400-meter dash at the 1984 MHSAA Championships.
Dan Roundfield (1971) a.k.a. Doctor Rounds was a talented, late-blooming basketball player for Chadsey High School. On the collegiate scene, Roundfield was a two-time All-Mid-American Conference basketball player and the 1975 M.A.C. Player of the Year at Central Michigan University. Roundfield was the number-one draft pick of the Indiana Pacers in 1975; he played with the Pacers until 1977. Roundfield then spent six years with the Atlanta Hawks, followed by a single season with the Detroit Pistons. Roundfield was also a three-time NBA All-Star (1980, ’81 and ’82). In 1985, Dan Roundfield was honored with induction to the CMU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Bruce Thornton (1975) was a former NFL and USFL defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Blitz, and the Denver Gold.
Tony Vann-Spann (1995) won 400-meter dash at the 1995 MHSAA Championships and Midwest Meet of Champions; named 1995 Michigan High School Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Stan Vinson (1971) was the top-ranked Michigan high school track athlete at 440-yards in 1971; that same season, Stan won his event at the Michigan High School Athletic Association championships. Over the course of four seasons at Eastern Michigan University, Vinson was a six-time NCAA All-American; he also won a total of 15 Mid-American Conference and Central Collegiate Conference titles. Stan took first place in the 600-yard run at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 1974 and 1975. During the 1975 indoor season, Vinson established world records at 500-yards and 500-meters. Stan Vinson was a 2007 inductee to the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Michael Westbrook (1990) was a former NFL wide receiver for the Washington Redskins and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Freeman White consensus All-American and NFL and CFL tight end for the New York Giants and the Ottawa Rough Riders.
Stan Wilkins (1976) was the 1976 MHSAA long jump champion
