Following war-delayed construction, Mumford High opened in September 1949; a time when large segments of Detroit's Jewish-American population had already begun an inexorable movement toward the suburban communities of Oakland County.[6] Mumford's architectural profile featured imported powder blue limestone block and exquisite Art Deco styling similar to other Detroit high schools. During much of the 1950s and early 1960s, Mumford High served a predominantly Jewish student population.
The original building was demolished during the summer of 2012.[7] A new building was constructed at the same Wyoming Avenue address and opened in August, 2012.[citation needed]
It was named after Detroit School Board member and Detroit Edison treasurer Samuel C. Mumford.[8]
1959 graduate, Barry Shapiro set a city record on his way to winning the 100-yard breaststroke, at the 1959 Detroit Public School League (DPSSAL) swimming finals. In fact, Shapiro's time was superior to the existing Michigan High School Athletic Association record for the event. Barry was among the fastest breaststrokers in the state, during a period (1931–1961) when Detroit schools did not participate in MHSAA championship events; he never had the chance to swim for a state title.[13]
Another Mumford athlete, Richard Golden made the best of his opportunity to compete at the state level. During the 1963 MHSAA finals, Richard finished third in the 50-yard freestyle; to this day, Golden is Mumford's only All-State swimmer.[14]
In 1966, in his first year as Mumford's basketball[15] coach, Sam Taub led Mumford to the east side championship in the Detroit Public School league[15] before losing to Northwestern by 3 points in the city championship game. Mumford went on to win district and regional championships in the state tournament before losing to East Detroit in the state quarterfinals. All-State center Larry Moore averaged 27 points a game to lead the Mustangs.
In 1969, Coach Taub guided the Mustangs to the PSL title; Mumford defeated Northern High 72–55 to claim the trophy. The Mustangs advanced to the state semifinals before losing to Ypsilanti.[16]
Taub was also the school's golf coach and a collegiate basketball referee.
More recently, Mumford's track and field program has been nothing less than dynastic; winning a total of six Michigan High School Athletic Association championships since 1999.
The Lady Mustangs won state titles in 2004 and 2005; while Mumford's men brought home the MHSAA crown in 1999, 2002, 03 and 04.[17][18]
In 2005, Mumford won its first DPSSAL football title; the Mustangs defeated Finney High, 26–13 to claim the championship trophy.[19]
Ivan Boesky, a 1955 graduate, came to Mumford after having attended Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills; was convicted for role in Wall Street insider trading scandal during mid-1980s; his involvement is recounted in book Den of Thieves by Pulitzer Prize-winning author James B. Stewart
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