Timeline

From 1833 to 1877 several parishes provided primary education to girls and boys.  These schools were staffed by various orders of Nuns.  Following eighth grade, students joined the work force.  Bishop Caspar Borgess, a graduate of St. Xavier College in Cincinnati desired to open a preparatory school of Classical education in Detroit. His familiarity with the Jesuits and his rule that forbade females to teach boys over twelve led him to contact the Jesuits in St. Louis to enquire if they would be willing to open a college in Detroit.  In the spring of 1877, the St. Louis Jesuits and the Father General approved the request.

April 5, the Very Reverend Thomas O’Neil, Provincial, agreed to establish The Detroit College. An agreement was reached to deed Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Parish, and several lots on the north side of Larned between St. Antoine and Hastings to the Jesuits in return for establishing a college.

June 1, four Jesuits arrived in Detroit to begin organizing Detroit College in the same manner as other Jesuit colleges. 

Academic Division (High School)  Rudiments (Freshmen), 3^rd Academic (Sophomore), 2^nd Academic (Junior).  1^st Academic (Senior).

Collegiate Division  Humanities (Freshmen), Poetry (Sophomores), Rhetoric (Junior) and Philosophy (Senior).

June 21, the Jesuits purchased the Trowbridge residence directly opposite Ss. Peter and Paul on the south side of Jefferson for $21,500.  This two-story house would serve as the first school building.  Construction began immediately to remodel the house and add a third floor at a cost of $3,500.  Tuition was $40 per year.  Ss. Peter and Paul Parish subsidized tuition to make a Jesuit education available to all students, regardless of their ability to pay.

1877 - 1878

September 4, the founding President, Fr. John B. Miege, S.J., former Bishop of the Kansas Territory, along with the Dean and three Scholastics greeted 54 students.  The students ranged in age from 11 to 18.  School was in session on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with rest days on Thursdays and Sundays.

Typical daily schedule :     

• 8:30-9:00      Mass
• 9:00-10:00     Latin
• 10:00-10:15    Recess
• 10:15-11:15       Greek
• 11:15-12:00      Penmanship or extra studies
• 12:00-1:30      Lunch and Recess
• 1:30-2:00       Study or Religious Instruction  
• 2:00-3:00      Arithmetic 
• 3:00-4:00      English, History, Geography

October 3, Acolythical Society founded (Altar Boys)

1878 - 1879

June 27, first commencement took place in Merrill Hall. The Detroit Opera House orchestra played at the event which did not have any graduates that year as Detroit College had not yet begun a fourth year of the Academic [High School] or the collegiate division. 

1879 - 1880

College-level classes are added as the first students are promoted from the Academic Division to the Collegiate Division.

Students are now enrolled in 1st Academic [4th year of high school].

1880 - 1881

December 29, Harlequins perform their first play, Elmo, the Druid Martyr, at the Detroit Opera House. 

1883 - 1884 

December 16, Sodality founded.  From the Latin sodalitas (fellowship).  The basic concept is religiously committed students set in a structure of extra-curricular activities leading to spiritual growth.

1885 - 1886

Due to space constraints, The Collegiate Division with its 62 students was moved to a remodeled house on the north side of Jefferson.  Planning was begun on a new building on the north side of Jefferson to house the entire student body.

Inappropriate dress and behavior were punished by the venerable Jesuit institution of after school assignments, usually of an academic nature.  “Commonly referred to as JUG, which was slang for jail.  The assignment usually consisted of memorizing 50 to 100 lines of poetry.  Once committed to memory, and repeated to the prefect, you were free to go.”  Ed Hickey ‘1912

1886 - 1887

One of the early teachers at Detroit College was Fr. Thomas E. Sherman, S.J., son of Civil War Major General, William Sherman.

1887 - 1888

February 5 entry in the Detroit College Diary – “Too many of our students stay up late at night, to the detriment of their health and studies.  They have been strongly advised to retire at regular and sensible hours every night , and to rise at a fixed hour.  There is a great need to take this admonition, and an even greater need for the parents to take it to heart.”

1890 - 1891

September 1, To obtain a suitable site for the new school building, the College purchased the 4 remaining homes on Jefferson between St. Antoine and Hastings.  The 4 lots on Jefferson plus 4 lots on Larned gave the Jesuits a 200 foot by 200 foot building site.  The total cost of the new building was $100,000 for construction plus $56,750 for the land acquisition.   After 5 years of planning, property acquisition, construction and fund raising, the entire student body moved to the new building, on the north side of Jefferson adjacent to Ss. Peter and Paul.  The building, now known as Dowling Hall, houses the UDM Law School.

December 29, Elma the Druid Martyr, a highly moral drama depicting the Christian spirit in conflict with the pagan world, was the first play produced by the Philomathic Society. Staged at the Detroit Opera House as a benefit for St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, the four-hour production was a classically written work authored by two anonymous faculty members.

1892 - 1893

The School colors of red and white were in adopted on September 11 to symbolize the sacrificial blood of Our Savior and His Resurection.

1894-1895

Baseball became the first sport to officially represent Detroit College.

1896 – 1897

First official football game against St. Ignatius of Chicago.  Both Academic and Collegiate students were on the team.

The Collegiate Division mascot was a Tiger and The Academic Division [High School] mascot was a Tiger Cub. 

1877 - 1901 

Tuition was $40, subsidized in part by Ss. Peter and Paul Parish.

1901 - 1902

On April 15, the Detroit Tigers invited U of D's baseball team to play in a practice game at Bennett Field (precursor to Navin Field and then Tiger Stadium). It was an invitation-only event, together with newspaper sportswriters. The young Cub team, a mix of high school and college-level players, would lose 5-13.

1904 - 1905

The Academic Division has been renamed the Academy.  Enrollment had grown to 135 Academy and 86 Collegiate students.

1906-1907

Basketball team’s first year of competition. 

Final year of combined high school and college sports teams.

1908 - 1909

Fr.  Slevin cancelled football season due to rowdy behavior of students and to de-emphasize the sport’s impact on student life.

1911 - 1912

A new charter arrived from Lansing on January 14, changing the name from Detroit College to the University of Detroit.

1915 - 1916

Gradual separation begins between the high school and the college, with college classes getting moved to the newly constructed Dinan Hall.

1918 - 1919

First female faculty member is hired. Margaret Mannebach, an accomplished pianist and director of the Detroit Institute of Musical Art. Miss Mannebach served as an instructor or accompanist rather than as a traditional professor. At that time, the school's music offerings were heavily performance-based and relied on professional Detroit musicians.

During the Spanish Influenza outbreak, school closed from October 23 to November 3.

The new Academy student chapel, St. Catherine's, at the SE corner of At. Antoine and Larned is opened. Construction was funded by the Dinan brothers.

1921-1922

October 18, the first issue of the high school newspaper, The Cub, was published.

Property is purchased and the Jesuits began discussing the relocation of the Academy and College to the Six Mile and Livernois area.  It was ultimately decided that the College Division would be located at Six Mile and Livernois and the Academic Division would move to S. Cambridge. In September 1922, land is procured on Seven Mile by Fr. John McNichols, S.J. to eventually move the high school to its current location  

1924-1925

Enrollment that school year is 532 students at both the college and Academy [High School] levels. 

Golf team’s first year of competition.

Tennis team’s first year of competition.

Standards remained high.  Students were dismissed if they scored less than 70% in two classes.

1926-1927

Hockey team’s first year of competition.                    

In April the Cub high school-level sports teams join the Detroit Public School League. 

On May 6, the first Senior Prom a high school dance exclusively, was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Statler.

In June, the golf team won the school’s first state championship.     

1927-1928

Track team’s first year of competition.

Cross Country team’s first year of competition.

1928-1929

Presidents are now appointed for the High School and the College.  The High’s first President was Fr. Arthur Spillard. 

1930-1931

Construction has begun on our new school building on S. Cambridge between Livernois and Wyoming on what is now the current site of the school..  The 3-story limestone building was designed to hold 650 students.  The school was built on donated land at a cost of $644,700. 

1931 – 1932

The school moved to its current location on South Cambridge Avenue and 7 Mile Road in Detroit in August.  The slight move north in the city afforded the school the opportunity to be more accessible to the rapidly expanding area.

Founded as the Parents-Teachers Association, the organization adopted the name Mothers' Club in the 1949–50 academic year and has supported U of D Jesuit families and students ever since.

1936-1937

U of D High's Sodality of Our Lady became a model for Catholic schools nationwide. Praised by Fr. Daniel Lord, S.J., as "the best Sodality setup of any high school in the United States," the program flourished under faculty advisor, Fr. Edward C. Maguire, S.J. Students demonstrated deep faith through daily communion and extraordinary service to those in need across Detroit.

The hockey program was terminated because of the Metro League’s decision to drop the sport due to high cost and poor attendance.

The Glee Club is formed.

1939-1940

September, the first performance of the U of D High Fight Song composed by faculty member, Bill Madigan, to the Frederick Bigelow tune of “Our Director”.

Football team, under the guidance of Coach Bob Tiernan, wins the PSL Championship and defeats the Catholic League Champions, Catholic Central, at Briggs Stadium for the City Championship 

During World War II, as alumni go off to fight in the war, the school requires students to take gymnastics classes and sets up a “stiff” obstacle course on school grounds. 

1946 – 1947

Edward Wilson ’51 becomes the first Black student to enroll at U of D High School. 

Overcrowding had become a huge problem.  There are now 820 students in a building designed for 650.  24 Jesuits are living in space designed for 20. 

The solutions were 1.  The Jesuit Residence would be expanded to house 32 Jesuits.  2. Construct an 1,800-seat gym that would free up space in the original building for additional classrooms. Ultimately, the gym was built, the old library was converted into classrooms, and the old gym was converted into the library.  It took several years of fundraising before these projects could be completed.

Chess Club was inaugurated and remains one of the most popular and successful co-curriculars today, capturing numerous titles along the way.

1947 – 1949

Due to several financial and administrative issues the time had come to formally separate the affairs of the college and the high school.  It took two years and the intervention of the Father General, but an agreement was reached.

June 1948, the High School and the College officially separate into two distinct entities, but not before the matter goes between the Superior General of the Jesuits who settles a monetary dispute between the two schools. In the end, the high school receives $255,450 from the university. 

On August 13, 1948, University of Detroit High School becomes a corporation and gains independence from the college. 

Stained Glass Windows installed in the Chapel.

1949-1950

The basketball team wins the Metro League basketball sectional championship for the first time, and the school's current gymnasium was opened and was the largest high school gym of the time with 1,800 seats. It provided more opportunities to reimagine spaces to allow for more learning areas, and the Jesuit residence was expanded to accommodate the increased number of Jesuits living on campus.

1951-1952

Swim team’s first year of competition

The school’s 75th anniversary is celebrated on September 21, in front of a crowd of 3,000 supporters and televised on WWJ-TV (WDIV - Channel 4). The ceremonies were capped with a sermon by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, who praised the school for providing 75 years of quality Catholic education

1952 - 1953

Student Senate first formed, with Pete Ulbrich ‘54 serving as the first president, Pat Kiley ‘54 as vice-president, Gerry Pastula ‘54, treasurer, Pete Mercier ’54, secretary, and Frank Walczak ‘54, sergeant-at-arms. 

U of D High School is the king of football in Detroit, winning the Metropolitan League and defeating St. Mary’s of Redford in the Goodfellow Game, 23-20. Winning the PSL title for the fourth time and the City Championship for the second time in 15 years.  

1954-1955

Addition to the Jesuit Residence was completed and occupied.

The first Student Senate elections were held. 

1955 - 1956

Harlequins delighted the audience with classic comedy "Room Service".

1956 - 1957

Debate team wins division title and won a district championship as well. 

Swim team wins city title first time in 25 years. Swept 7 dual meets and 8 swimmers named All -City. 

1957 - 1958

Enrollment at U of D High School in 1957 is nearly 1100 students.

Tennis team wins East Side Championship.

U of D High joins the Catholic League.

Baseball wins the Catholic League.

1959 - 1960

First Homecoming held, with a parade and floats.

Cross country team wins the Parochial League title.

Teacher and golf coach, Fr. Schumacher retires after 18 titles in the 17 years he coached the team.

1960-1961

Coach Tiernan retires after 29 seasons as Head Football Coach with a record of 150 wins and 52 losses. 

Math Club forms on campus.

Student body held a mock convention for the election of Student Senate Officers, paving the way for what would become known as what is now, the time-honored tradition of today's Student Senate Convention.

The debate team beats Pershing High School to win the City Championship.

Th baseball team brought home a City Championship Central Division title after defeating St. Ladislaus, 3-1, at Briggs Stadium.

Cross-country becomes a Catholic League power in the early to mid-1960s, winning five Catholic league titles 

1966-1967

For the first time in school history, females were allowed to take part in Harlequin productions. The monumental decision required permission from the Provincial the two women from Immaculata High School and the two from Our Lady of Mercy High School were able to take part.  

May 3, The Very Reverend Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Jesuit Father General visited The High.

1967-1968

Fr. Jerome Petz, S.J. ’33 is the first alumnus named president of U of D High School; Jim Gargin is the first lay assistant principal 

First course in computer programming (Fortran) is added to the curriculum; at the time, the course is being used by mathematics students on college campuses.

1971 - 1972

Community Action Movement (CAM), a U of D Jesuit service program, launched an inner-city youth softball league in 1970, one of many projects that connected students with the Detroit community. Seniors served as coaches, mentors, and league organizers, building lasting relationships with neighborhood youth. CAM helped lay the foundation for Senior Service. Today, Senior Service continues through partnerships across the City. 

1972 - 1973

Basketball team wins 18 straight games en route to winning its first ever Catholic League title under Coach Bill Thibodeau. 

The Gala was rebranded as a fundraising Auction and not just a social event. The first Auction was Chaired by Lawrence Washington, President of the Detroit Chapter of the NAACP.  The Auction goals were to foster a spirit of community and raise money for the school.  

July 31, the term Men for Others was coined by Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., then Superior General of the Society of Jesus, in a landmark speech delivered at the 10th International Congress of Jesuit Alumni of Europe in Valencia, Spain. This date also coincides with the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. In his speech, Fr. Arrupe challenged Jesuit alumni to embody a faith that actively promotes justice, urging them to become individuals who live not for themselves but for God and others.

1973-1974

Under the leadership of Fr. Douglas Keller, S.J., the Academy (7th and 8th grades) was established to create a feeder system for the high school. Starting in 1973, the 8th grade was added, followed by the 7th grade in 1974.  This helped boost enrollment which provided financial stability, and the school would be known as University of Detroit High School and Academy.

First Walk-a-Thon took place to the fanfare of media and was initially called the Century Walk as a nod to the incoming freshmen class that would become the centennial graduating class. The walk was 15 miles, from the school to Rouge Park.

1976 – 1977

In December 1976, the Detroit Province Provincial, Fr. Paul Besanceney, S.J., announced that University of Detroit High School and Academy would remain in Detroit. Many people connected to the school, advocated for relocating to the suburbs to stabilize enrollment, finances, and resources. The proposed move was bolstered by the trend of several Catholic high schools relocating from Detroit to suburban areas. However, after much prayer and a deep examination of the Jesuit mission, the Jesuits chose to reaffirm their commitment to providing a high-quality, college-preparatory, Catholic, and Jesuit education within the City of Detroit.

1979 - 1980

Soccer debuts at U of D High School 

The first “six-year” men graduate from U of D High School. The first seventh grade Academy class was added in the fall of the 1974-1975 academic year.

1980 - 1981

"Graduate at Graduation", often abbreviated as "Grad at Grad", was developed by the Jesuit Secondary Education Association (JSEA)—now known as the Jesuit Schools Network. This initiative aimed to articulate the core qualities that Jesuit high schools strive to instill in their students by the time they graduate.

The original profile outlined five key characteristics:

• Open to Growth
• Intellectually Competent
• Religious
• Loving
• Committed to Doing Justice

The "Grad at Grad" has become a foundational document in Jesuit education, guiding curricula, student formation, and assessment across Jesuit high schools worldwide.

Fr. Malcolm Carron, S.J. '35 is named president, the second alumnus in school history named to the post. He previously served as president of the college.

1983-1984

School's name is amended at the behest of then president, Fr. Malcom Carron, S.J. '35  in August, to include Jesuit, to legally be called University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.

1987-1988

“The Last Hurrah” – Detroit’s Public Television station WTVS films the Student Senate election process and convention and airs it the following year.

The Call to Excellence Capital Campaign was launched.  The first major capital campaign and major construction project since the 1950s. 

1988 - 1989

First Focus Hope deliveries marked the beginning of a decades-long tradition of Saturday morning service.

Kairos retreats begin. Rooted in the Ignation tradition, Kairos is a transformative experience of faith, reflection, friendship, and personal growth that continues to shape generations of Cubs.

Football team wins first division title in 20 years and appears in its first "Prep Bowl".

“Glendon’s Miracle” – Christmas Day 1989, Fr. Carron, S.J. '35 receives word that the school is the beneficiary of a significant estate gift from the late Richard Glendon ’23. The gift, worth over $2 million, gets the school out of debt and ushers in a new era of growth 

1990 - 1991

Groundbreaking for the Fisher Science Center, the school's first capital project since the gymnasium in the 1950s.

Black Awareness Society for Education (B.A.S.E.), a student organization, was formed here in the spring of 1990, by Rob Dobbs ’90, Taurus Colvin ’90, Brett Allen ’90, Damon Harvey ’91, Rob Bryant ’91, Herman Jenkins ’92 and Paul Carr ’93.

1991 - 1992

B.A.S.E. was officially recognized in 1991. They hosted their first Black History Convention for Unity on February 8. Inviting students from both private and public schools around Metro Detroit, the B.A.S.E. Convention has become a much-anticipated gathering of these school delegates to share their experiences and idea sharing. 

1992-1993

Track and field win team's first MHSAA State Championship.

Lacrosse team reached the MHSAA Final Four, just seven years after the program started.

1993-1994

Inscape, U of D Jesuit's award-winning literary and arts magazine, is founded, providing students in grades 7–12 a creative outlet for poetry, fiction, artwork, and photography.

Alumni moms, Colleen Batcheller (Chuck '83, Jimmy '85, Boby '93, Patrick '98), and Terri Krause (Sean '88, Jeff '97) form the Alumni Mothers' Club, to continue the connection with friendship, faith and service. 

1995-1996

The Call to Excellence Capital Campaign was completed in 1995. It raised $5.3M to construct the Fisher Science Center, replace the windows, complete exterior renovations and create an endowment. 

Sue Rowe became the first Dean of Students (1996) and the first lay principal in school history (2001). 

Hockey is reinstituted following a 58-year absence. The program's revival was celebrated with an alumni game featuring members of the 1937 team, including co-captains Carl Schmidt and Ralph Bowen.

1996 - 1997

Circle of Care Endowed Scholarship program is initiated. The program was established through permanent family-funded scholarships, helping make a U of D Jesuit education accessible to deserving students for generations to come. 

1998 - 1999

Soccer team is State Finalist.

2001-2002

Reclaiming Our Future Capital Campaign was completed after launching in 1995.  Raised over $25 million which funded the renovation and new construction of over 40,000 square feet of space including a new Cafeteria, Library, Commons, Classrooms, Auxiliary Gym, Weight Room, Labedz Hall, Curley Hall and reclaimed the Chapel.

Fr. Karl J. Kiser, S.J. begins tenure as U of D Jesuit president, the longest to date (2002-2016). 

Sue Rowe is named principal. She became the first lay principal in school history, and first female lay principal of an all-boys Jesuit school. 

Soccer team wins its first state championship. 

Joe Beldyga '69, coaches both Track and Field (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) and Cross Country (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) teams to several consecutive Regional titles. 

2003 - 2004

Lights were added to the school's athletic field, allowing teams to play night games at home for the first time ever.

2004 - 2005

The Robocubs robotics team is founded, launching a tradition of innovation and excellence in STEM. More than two decades later, the program has emerged as one of Michigan's premier robotics teams, earning state championships, competing on the world stage, and garnering national recognition for its achievements in engineering, teamwork, and innovation. The first competition season was in January 2005.

2005 - 2006

Twenty-five members from the Class of 2006 are recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program for their scores on the PSAT their junior year.

2008-2009

Cub baseball captures one of the program's six Regional Championships, advancing to the State Quarterfinals, led by MHSAA Mr. Baseball, Daniel Fields '09, who would go on to be drafted by MLB's Detroit Tigers. 

2009-2010

TIME Magazine profiles U of D Jesuit as one of the “last Catholic school’s standing” in Detroit, applauding its commitment to the city and region.

For the Greater Good Capital Campaign was completed.  Raised over $26 million to fund endowments to support the faculty and staff, financial aid and technology upgrades.

2010 - 2011

U of D Jesuit’s Walk-a-thon morphs into “Pledge: Detroit”, a school-wide volunteer effort around the city of Detroit showing the school’s “Men for Others” mission in action .

2012-2013

Coach Chris Buryta retired as bowling coach after 37 seasons as the longest serving coach in our history.

2013-2014

Bowling team captured the program's first MHSAA State Championship

2015-2016

Led by CHSL Hall of Fame coach, Pat Donnelly, the Cubs varsity basketball team completed a perfect season (28-0) and captured the program's first MHSAA State Championship. 

2016-2017

Science and Engineering Capital Campaign completed.  Over $16 million was raised to build a 40,000 s.f. addition that included six integrated laboratory/lecture halls, two computer laboratories, a CAD lab, lecture hall, robotics laboratory and learning center.

2019-2022

The Johnson Recreation Center Campaign launches.  The campaign raised over $10 million to purchase and revitalize the Jonson Recreation Center and Athletic Fields.  The renovated center and expanded fields have provided the neighborhood and Cub athletic teams with much needed practice space, exercise facilities, and meeting rooms. 

2019-2020

Schools are shutdown state-wide on March 13, for the remainder of the school year, due to the COVID pandemic. This would be the second global pandemic to close the school following the Spanish Influenza pandemic of 1918.

2021-2022

U of D Jesuit completed the purchase and renovation of the vacant Johnson Recreation Center on Chippewa Avenue. The $7.5 million transformation of this 30,000-square-foot facility includes a gym, locker rooms, indoor fields, and community meeting spaces. Known as the PARC, the center features three newly resurfaced outdoor soccer and lacrosse fields across 10.5 acres, along with indoor field space. The facility also serves the neighborhood year-round, hosting association meetings and youth activities.

Track and Field, under the guidance of Coach Carl Brock, won their second State Championship

2024-2025

CHSL Hall of Fame Coach, Drew Edson, led Swim and Dive team to their first-ever State Championship title. This marks a historic milestone for the program that has steadily risen among Michigan's elite. With multiple CHSL championships, and top four state finishes, and a tradition of sustained excellence, the Cubs have established themselves as one of the state's premier programs. 

Legendary Hall of Fame Varsity Basketball Coach, Pat Donnelly, retired after 17 years. He served as Head Coach from ’08-’09 through ’24 – ’25.  His all record was 310 wins and 86 losses, and his Catholic League record was 159 wins and 45 losses. Coach Donnelly led the 2015-2016 team to a State Championship title. Additionally, his teams won 11 CHSL titles, 19 District titles, six Regional Championships and appeared four times in the Final Four.

2025 - 2026

Fr. Daniel Dixon, S.J. '06, is named the 31st president of U of D Jesuit, becoming just the third alumnus to lead the school. He officially begins his presidency on July 1.